Priscilla Fairfield Bok

Priscilla Fairfield Bok
Born
Patricia Fairfield

April 14, 1896
DiedNovember 1975 (aged 79)
NationalityAmerican
Alma materBoston University
Known forstar clusters, Milky Way
SpouseBart Bok
Children2 (including John)
RelativesJoan Toland Bok (daughter-in-law)
Kenzie Bok (great-granddaughter)
Scientific career
Fieldsastronomy
InstitutionsMount Stromlo Observatory

Priscilla Fairfield Bok (April 14, 1896 – November 1975[1]) was an American astronomer and the wife of Dutch-born astronomer Bart Bok, Director of Mount Stromlo Observatory in Australia and later of Steward Observatory in Arizona, US. Their harmonious marriage accompanied the four decades of their close scientific collaboration, in which "it is difficult and pointless to separate his achievements from hers".[2] They co-authored a number of academic papers on star clusters, stellar magnitudes, and the structure of the Milky Way galaxy. The Boks displayed great mutual enthusiasm for explaining astronomy to the public: described as "salesmen of the Milky Way" by The Boston Globe, their general interest book The Milky Way went through five editions and was said to be "one of the most successful astronomical texts ever written".

  1. ^ "United States Social Security Death Index". FamilySearch. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  2. ^ Lada, C. J. (1987). "Obituary - BOK, Bart". Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society. 28 (4): 539. Bibcode:1987QJRAS..28..539L.