Pelageya Shain
- Born
- September 22, 1894
- Died
- August 27, 1956
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Pelageya Shain (1894–1956): Astronomer of the Crimean skies. Published on the 70th anniversary of her death during the deep partial lunar eclipse of August 27–28, 2026.
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Panel1 ScenePelageya stands beside a brass telescope above the illuminated Simeiz Observatory in Crimea.
TextPelageya Fedorovna Shain was a Soviet astronomer and the first woman credited with discovering a minor planet.
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Panel2 SceneAt a desk beneath star charts, Pelageya examines a photographic plate with a magnifying glass.
TextShe discovered 19 minor planets and about 140 variable stars, comet 61P/Shajn–Schaldach, and many asteroids. Her work expanded our map of a changing universe.
1112 Polonia. 1113 Katja. 1120 Cannonia. 1121 Natascha.
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Panel3 ScenePelageya records observations while Robert D. Schaldach examines astronomical equipment beside her.
TextIn 1949, Pelageya Shain discovered periodic comet 61P/Shajn–Schaldach. American astronomer Robert D. Schaldach independently discovered it two days later.
61P/Shajn–Schaldach — a Jupiter-family comet.
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Panel4 ScenePelageya and her husband Grigory appear as figures formed from stars above a domed observatory at twilight.
Text1190 Pelagia — named for Pelageya.
Pelageya died on August 27, 1956, twenty-three days after her husband Grigory died on August 4.
1648 Shajna — named for Pelageya and Grigory. Shajn crater — named for Grigory Shajn.
Pelageya Shain—also transliterated Shajn—discovered 19 minor planets and about 140 variable stars. She found comet 61P/Shajn–Schaldach in 1949; Robert D. Schaldach independently found it two days later. The honors shown are correctly distinguished: 1190 Pelagia is for Pelageya, 1648 Shajna for the couple, and lunar crater Shayn for Grigory. This comic was published on the 70th anniversary of her death during NASA’s deep partial lunar eclipse of August 27–28, 2026. Russian Academy of Sciences · 61P discovery history · NASA eclipse