Our History

Grounds of Harvard College Observatory circa 1899. Black and white image of buildings with domes on a hill.

Harvard College Observatory circ. 1899.

The Harvard Plate Stacks

The Harvard Plate Stacks is a historic collection of astronomical glass plate negatives housed at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. Spanning the entire history of astrophotography, the collection includes landmark images that represent significant firsts in both photography and astronomy. Most of the plates were produced by the Harvard College Observatory over more than a century, using telescopes and observatories around the world.

At the heart of this history are the Women Astronomical Computers—a pioneering group of women at Harvard, often known as the Harvard Computers. Active across more than a hundred years, each woman held a distinct role, title, and area of expertise. Our Biographies page seeks to recognize as many of these trailblazing individuals as possible. We are actively developing biographical profiles and research resources to honor their contributions. Visit our resource pages to learn more about our collective history.