Scientist Exhibit

Margaret Geller

1947 – Present United States

Mapped the large-scale structure of the universe and helped identify the CfA2 Great Wall

Margaret Geller

Overview

About Margaret Geller

Margaret Geller is an astronomer whose galaxy redshift surveys helped reveal the immense large-scale structure of the universe. Working with John Huchra and collaborators, she produced influential maps showing that galaxies are arranged in vast walls, filaments, and voids rather than being distributed uniformly. Their work on the CfA Redshift Survey led to the identification of the CfA2 Great Wall and transformed observational cosmology.

Scientific Contribution

Key Discovery

CfA2 Great Wall and large-scale structure mapping

Redshift-survey mapping that revealed enormous structures in the distribution of galaxies.

Life Timeline

Important Moments

1986

publication

Publishes early evidence for the large-scale structure of the universe

Geller and collaborators used galaxy redshift surveys to reveal that galaxies are distributed in large coherent structures rather than uniformly through space.

1989

discovery

Maps the Great Wall of galaxies

Work by Geller and John Huchra on the CfA redshift survey revealed the Great Wall, then one of the largest known structures in the universe.

1990

award

Receives a MacArthur Fellowship

Geller received a MacArthur Fellowship for her influential work in observational cosmology and large-scale structure.

Places & Networks

Institutions

research center

Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian

Cambridge , United States

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