Essential Information
| Type | Talks and tours |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Date and Times | Friday 28 March 2025 | 6.30-7.30pm |
| Prices | Adults: £10 | Students & Under-25s: £9 |
| 10% off for Members. Not a member? Join now |
Bookings opening soon
As new technologies and instruments transformed astronomy in the late 1800s, observatory directors around the world started to employ women as cheap labour to help assemble and process vast amounts of photographic glass plates for new star catalogues.
Some of these ‘computers’ only stayed for a few months or years, but others became experts in their own right and forged long-term careers in astronomy and associated sciences.
Discover more about these pioneering women in an evening panel discussion and filming screening at the Royal Observatory's Peter Harrison Planetarium in Greenwich
Hear from researchers who have investigated women working at observatories in the UK, US and Australia. Who were these women? What did they do? What challenges did they face, and how did conditions vary between observatories?
The evening ends with a screening of Hidden Figures (2016) to illustrate the parallel themes of gender and race discrimination as experienced by women scientists in the Apollo space programme.
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'Astrographic Telescope'
The Astrographic Telescope used by the ‘lady computers’ at Greenwich, 1890s.
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The Stars of the Pleiades
A typical star field as captured with the Astrographic Catalogue, 1890s.
Plan your visit
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This event will be held inside the Peter Harrison Planetarium, part of Royal Observatory Greenwich. Enter via the Astronomy Centre gate (pictured).
Please aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before the event is due to start. The Observatory is situated at the top of a steep hill within Greenwich Park, so make sure you give yourself enough time to walk up (and enjoy the view!).
Getting to Royal Museums Greenwich
As this is an evening event, Greenwich Park will be shut once the session has concluded. Visitors must leave the Park via minibus, which will drop off at St Mary's Gate (at the northwest end of the Park).
Please be aware that this minibus is not wheelchair accessible. If you need to make alternative arrangements, please contact Bookings at bookings@rmg.co.uk or call 0208 312 6608.
Frequently asked questions
When should I arrive?
Please allow enough time to get to us and aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before the show’s start time on your ticket.
Can children attend?
This event is suitable for ages 16+.
What provisions are in place to support those with additional needs?
From moving around our site to being inside the planetarium, check out our full accessibility information here.
Note that access to the Observatory for this event is via minibus. Please be aware that this minibus is not wheelchair accessible. If you need to make alternative arrangements, please contact Bookings at bookings@rmg.co.uk or call 0208 312 6608.
I have another question.
Check our frequently asked questions here. If you're still not sure, call or email the Bookings team.
Call: +44 (0)20 8312 6608
Email: bookings@rmg.co.uk
What’s On
Find more events at the Royal Observatory.
