CENTER THEATER COMPANY'S 

Silent Sky, by Lauren Gunderson brings to light the often-overlooked contributions of women in science, celebrating their achievements and acknowledging the challenges they faced. Through Henrietta Swan Leavitt's story, the play sheds light on the historical context of women in astronomy and their enduring impact on the field.

DIRECTED BY: TRACY BERSLEY

Friday September 6th 7:30 PM
Saturday September 7th 2:00 PM
Saturday September 14th 7:30 PM
Sunday September 15th 2:00PM

Saturday September 7th 7:30
Sunday September 8th 2:00PM
Friday September 13th 7:30PM
Saturday September 14th 2:00PM

Historical Background

Setting and Time Period: The play is set in the early 1900s, primarily at the Harvard College Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This was a time when women were rarely acknowledged in the scientific community and often relegated to subordinate roles.

Harvard College Observatory: At this time, the observatory was under the direction of Edward Charles Pickering, who employed women, known as "computers," to process astronomical data. These women worked on cataloging and analyzing astronomical data, especially the measurement of the brightness of stars, using photographic plates.

Role of Women in Science: The early 20th century was a period of limited opportunities for women in science. Despite this, many women made significant, though often unrecognized, contributions. They were typically paid less and given little credit for their discoveries.

Henrietta Swan Leavitt: The protagonist of Silent Sky, Leavitt was one of these "computers." She worked on a project that involved studying Cepheid variable stars, a type of star that varies in brightness over a regular period. Her work led to the discovery of the period-luminosity relationship, which became crucial for measuring astronomical distances and understanding the scale of the universe.

Leavitt's Discovery: Leavitt's discovery of the period-luminosity relationship for Cepheid variables provided astronomers with a "standard candle" for measuring the distance to faraway galaxies. This breakthrough laid the groundwork for future astronomers like Edwin Hubble to determine that the universe is expanding.

Impact on Astronomy: Leavitt's work fundamentally changed the field of astronomy, allowing for a better understanding of the size and structure of the universe. Her findings were instrumental in shifting the perception of the Milky Way as the entire universe to the concept of multiple galaxies.