Stellar Atmospheres : Nimble Books : 9780979920523 : 0979920523 : 01 May 2023 : Originally published in 1925, this short, readable, brilliant book was a milestone in the history of astrophysics. This beautiful reprint makes a fantastic gift for any young person interested in science. In its pages, Cecilia H. Payne presented a rigorous and innovative analysis of stellar spectra, which led her to propose that stars were predominantly composed of hydrogen and helium. Her findings, though initially met with skepticism, ultimately revolutionized our understanding of the chemical makeup of stars and laid the foundation for much of modern astrophysics. Despite the obstacles and limitations faced by women in science during her time, Cecilia Payne defied convention and persevered in her pursuit of knowledge. Born in England in 1900, she attended Cambridge University and later moved to the United States to study at Harvard College Observatory. Here, she became the first person to earn a Ph.D.