History in the Stars: The Story Behind the Real-Life Women of Silent Sky - April 10

Join us after our April 10th matinee of Silent Sky for a special presentation from Frank Petrie of the Battle Point Astronomical Association.

Frank Petrie is president of the Battle Point Astronomical Association here on Bainbridge Island. BPAA offers monthly astronomy lectures and star parties and operates the Edwin E. Ritchie Observatory, featuring the 27.5” Ritchie Telescope, the largest publicly-accessible telescope in the Pacific Northwest. Check it out at https://BPAstro.org.

Frank will discuss the scientific contributions of the play’s characters: Henrietta Swan Leavitt, Annie Jump Cannon, Williamina Fleming, and some of the other Harvard College Observatory female “computers” of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Cataloging stars and analyzing stellar characteristics recorded on photographic glass plates, work considered too tedious and boring by the male astronomers at Harvard, these women made significant foundational discoveries that advanced our understanding of astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology.

No tickets or reservations are required for this event.

The doors to the event will open at the end of the preceding performance at approximately 5:15pm.

Admission is open to anyone who has purchased a ticket to any showing of Silent Sky.

This presentation will last approximately one hour.

Frank Petrie visits with the cast and director of Silent Sky