A female science writer is claiming the names of constellations are evidence of "mythic misogyny" that pervades modern astronomy.

Leila McNeill wrote in an article republished in The Atlantic magazine on Tuesday that the skies are "still filtered through this tradition of mythic misogyny." She said many constellations "named after men tell stories of heroism and conquest," while women are more frequently portrayed as "either monsters or domestic nurturers."

She said ancient Roman and Greek mythology is "deeply misogynistic" because male deities "rein with unlimited power while their female counterparts suffer violence and humiliation." McNeill also claimed modern-day astronomers who draw on this tradition to name celestial bodies and spacecraft contribute to a "scientific culture that diminishes the achievements of women."

"Male astronomers, when they look at the sky, can find more uplifting role models," wrote McNeill. "Simply giving more celestial bodies female names is not the solution. Rather, change must begin with the recognition that astronomy's self-image is built upon an age-old habit of telling stories about the abuse of women."

The Atlantic retweeted a poetic response to the McNeill's claims, which paraphrased English playwright William Shakespeare.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated the date McNeill's piece was published. The Washington Examiner regrets the error.