Talk: Re-envisioning Her Stars

Women have been central to astronomical discoveries, but their work has often been underrecognized. How can we make these stories more widely known and accessible to an eager public?

Join us at Royal Observatory Greenwich for an inspiring panel discussion exploring the hidden stories of pioneering women in astronomy. 

The panel features three contemporary artists whose work responds to the legacies of the Women Astronomical Computers at the Harvard College Observatory. These Harvard pioneers – including Williamina Paton Fleming, Henrietta Swan Leavitt, and Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin – made groundbreaking discoveries space discoveries, including celestial objects, foundational laws, and the composition of stars.

All three artists will share their work and insights on creating new works from a historical collection to bring these histories alive. Stella Feehily is the playwright of Hampstead Theatre’s current production, The Lightest Element. Aura Satz is a London-based artist, filmmaker, and documentarian who created the installation artwork “Her Luminous Distance.” Anna Von Mertens is an artist and author of the recently published book, Attention Is Discovery: The Life and Legacy of Astronomer Henrietta Leavitt. 

This event offers a unique blend of history, art, and science, shedding light on the essential roles women have played in advancing our understanding of the cosmos. 

The event is co-organized by the Royal Observatory Greenwich and the Harvard Plate Stacks, part of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. The evening's discussion will be moderated by Thom Burns, Curator of the Harvard Plate Stacks.

Please note that this show involves flashing lights.