Odette Bancilhon (born September 22, 1904, Bagnères-de-Bigorre, France; died December 20, 1998) was a French astronomer known for her contributions to the field of asteroidal discovery. She is primarily recognized for discovering the asteroid 1333 Cevenola in 1934 at the Algiers Observatory.
Early Life and Education
Odette Bancilhon was born in Bagnères-de-Bigorre, a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of southwestern France. Details of her early life and specific educational path leading to her astronomical career are not extensively documented in public records. However, her professional work indicates a solid foundation in astronomical observation and computation during a period when opportunities for women in scientific research were still relatively limited.
Career and Discoveries
Bancilhon became a prominent figure at the Algiers Observatory (Observatoire d'Alger), then located in French Algeria, which was a significant center for astronomical research in the early to mid-20th century. Her work at the observatory focused on the observation and cataloging of celestial bodies, particularly minor planets.
Her most notable achievement occurred on February 14, 1934, when she discovered the main-belt asteroid 1333 Cevenola. This discovery was officially credited to her by the Minor Planet Center. The name "Cevenola" was derived from Cévennes, a mountain range located in the south-central Massif Central of France.
Bancilhon was part of a distinguished group of astronomers working at the Algiers Observatory who were responsible for the discovery of numerous asteroids during the 1930s and 1940s. This group included other notable figures such as Louis Boyer and Alfred Schmitt, whom she later married.
Personal Life
Odette Bancilhon married fellow astronomer Alfred Schmitt, who also made several asteroid discoveries at the Algiers Observatory. In some historical contexts or records, she may be referred to as Odette Bancilhon-Schmitt, though she generally published her scientific work under her maiden name, Odette Bancilhon.
Legacy
Odette Bancilhon's discovery of 1333 Cevenola stands as her enduring legacy in astronomy. Her work contributed to the growing catalogue of minor planets and highlighted the scientific contributions of women during a transformative period for astronomical research.
References
- Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1333) Cevenola. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 109. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
- Minor Planet Center. "Minor Planet Discoverers". Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
- (Further research into Algiers Observatory historical records or obituaries might provide more detailed biographical information.)