She studied physics and astronomy at Wellesley College, graduating in 1884. Annie Jump Cannon was the eldest of three daughters of Wilson Cannon, a Delaware shipbuilder and state senator, and his second wife, Mary Jump. At Wellesley, Annie studied physics and astronomy and learned to make spectroscopic measurements. She created the stellar classification system still used today.

Annie's mother taught her the constellations and stimulated her interest in astronomy. Annie Jump Cannon examines a photographic plates of the night sky. Annie Jump Cannon (December 11, 1863–April 13, 1941) was an American astronomer whose work in star cataloging led to the development of modern star classification systems. (Image: © Harvard-Smithsonian Center for … Annie Jump cannon was responsible for the photographic discovery of 5 novas about 300 variable stars. Annie Jump Cannon was born in Dover, Delaware, on December 11, 1863, the daughter of Wilson Lee Cannon and Mary Elizabeth Jump Cannon.

Born on December 11, 1863, in Dover, Delaware, Annie Jump Cannon studied physics and astronomy at Wellesley College and went on to work at Harvard Observatory.

Fast Facts: Annie Jump Cannon

Along with her groundbreaking work in astronomy, Cannon was a suffragist and activist for women’s rights.

One of the first Delaware women to enroll in college, she attended Wellesley College (class of 1884). Cannon was the eldest daughter of Wilson Cannon, a Delaware state senator, and Mary Jump. Annie Jump Cannon, American astronomer who specialized in the classification of stellar spectra. Annie Jump Cannon shared the experience of being deaf with her colleague Henrietta Leavitt.