Muriel Mussells Seyfert

Muriel E. Mussells Seyfert (born Muriel Elizabeth Mussells, 3 February 1909 – 9 November 1997) was an American astronomer best known for discovery of "ring nebulae" (planetary nebulae) in the Milky Way while working at the Harvard College Observatory in 1936.

Early life
Muriel was born on 3 February 1909 in Danvers, Massachusetts, the daughter of George and Stella Mussells.

Scientific contributions
Mussells Seyfert was employed as a human computer at the Harvard College Observatory.  She is best known for discovery of new ring nebulae in the Milky Way.

Personal life
In May 20, 1935, Muriel married Carl Keenan Seyfert after whom the Seyfert galaxies and the Seyfert's Sextet were named.  The couple had two children. 

Sylvia Mussells Lindsay, wife of Eric Mervyn Lindsay, was Muriel's sister.

References

Category:1909 births
Category:1997 deaths
Category:American women astronomers
Category:Harvard Computers
Category:20th-century women scientists
Category:20th-century American scientists