Vesto Melvin Slipher studies of planets led to the determination of rotation periods and the finding of molecules in different planet’s atmospheres. He proved the existence of dust and gas between the stars. He also was in charge of the team that was looking to find the ninth planet. Slipher won the Bruce Medal for his findings and he could not have done it without the help of algebra. He used algebra to measure the speeds of the planets’ rotations. He also used it to break down and measure the tiny molecules.

Eleanor Margaret Peachey Burbidge was an astronomer from the UK. She and a team of men showed how all of the elements are produced by nuclear reactions inside stars. She has also studied field of galaxies, determining their rotations, masses, and chemical makeup. She has played a major role in developing instrumentation for the Hubble Space Telescope. Her skills in algebra helped her to piece together this very important piece of equipment. She used graphing and other skills to determine how the telescope had to work. She used algebra to measure speeds and rates.  She too won the Bruce Medal for her outstanding achievements as an astronomer.

Martin John Rees has made important contributions to the ideas of galaxy formation and clustering, and the origin of the radiation in outer space. His study of the division of quasars made astronomers question their theories. He was one of the first to propose that black holes power quasars. He has investigated the question of whether our universe is one of a multitude of universes. He could not have come up with these ideas with out his degree in mathematics and astronomy, which he received at the University of Cambridge.