Hubble and Shapley - Two Early Giants of Observational Cosmology

TL;DR

This paper reviews the foundational contributions of Hubble and Shapley to early observational cosmology, highlighting their different approaches and impacts on galaxy studies during the early 20th century.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of Hubble's and Shapley's pioneering work, emphasizing their distinct methodologies and roles in shaping modern cosmology.

Findings

Hubble advanced galaxy classification and distance measurement.

Shapley studied galaxy groups and clusters with smaller telescopes.

Their combined work laid the groundwork for modern observational cosmology.

Abstract

Observational cosmology of the first decades of the Twentieth Century was dominated by two giants: Edwin Hubble and Harlow Shapley. Hubble's major contributions were to the study and classification of individual galaxies with large telescopes, whereas Shapley is best remembered for his work on groups and clusters of galaxies using telescopes of more modest aperture.