Capturing the Intangible Universe
Learn more about the Harvard Plate Stacks, a world-renowned collection of Glass Plate Negatives of the night sky, and the generations of early women at Harvard who created, stewarded, and researched this collection that spans over 100 years. Make your own cyanotypes from some of the most famous images in our collection. Learn more about our collection online at platestacks.cfa.harvard.edu
Thom Burns
Thom Burns is the Acting Curator of the Harvard College Observatory’s Astronomical Photographic Glass Plate Collection at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. He received his Masters from the University of Glasgow in Technical Art History and his BA from Yale University in the History of Art. His professional and academic career focuses on specifically connecting and creating synergy among interdisciplinary fields and historical collections. Working with artists, authors, astrophysics, and conservators, his main role is to facilitate the research, understanding, and inspiration between individuals and the Harvard Plate Stacks collection. Central to the collection’s creation and its history is the legacy of a century of women astronomical computers breaking barriers in science and at Harvard starting in the 1870s. Current initiatives include 3D rendering of the historic imagery to create tactile and accessible models for people with visual impairments, working with scientists to help identify supernova remnants, and facilitating artists’ research in the collection to create their own work.
Meta Partenheimer
Meta Partenheimer is a Curatorial Assistant at the Harvard College Observatory’s Astronomical Photographic Glass Plate Collection at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. She received her Masters of Library & Information Science (MLIS) with a concentration in Archives Management from Simmons College, now Simmons University, and her Bachelor of Arts in the History of Art from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Meta has worked in a variety of cultural institutions including museums, libraries, archives, and research centers. In her role at the Plate Stacks, Meta supports projects related to the history of astronomy and executes tasks associated with collection digitization efforts.
Lisa Bravata
Lisa Bravata is a Curatorial Assistant at the Harvard College Observatory Astronomical Photographic Glass Plate Collection at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. She received her Masters of Library & Information Science (MLIS) with a concentration in Archives Management from Simmons University, and her Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Texas at Arlington. Lisa has worked in historical collections for several archival repositories, as well as fine art museums and preservation nonprofits. In her role at the Plate Stacks, Lisa supports access to and care of the archival collections, systems implementation, and public outreach.
Elizabeth Coquillette
Elizabeth Coquillette is a Curatorial Assistant at the Harvard College Observatory’s Astronomical Photographic Glass Plate Collection at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. She received her B.S. in Cognitive Science from Yale University, and she has worked in conservation and collections management at a variety of museums. In her work at the Plate Stacks, she researches the lives, careers, social contexts, and legacies of the Women Astronomical Computers, a group of trailblazing women who did astronomical research at Harvard between 1875-c. 1950s.