14:30
Cambridge University
December 6
Newnham College
In 2025, we celebrate 125 years since the birth of Dr Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin (NC 1919) — a pioneering astronomer whose brilliance transformed our understanding of the universe. One hundred years ago, her revolutionary PhD thesis was hailed as “the most brilliant ever written in astronomy,” revealing for the first time the true chemical composition of the stars. Dr Payne-Gaposchkin’s career was one of firsts: the first to determine the elements of the stars, the first woman promoted to full Professor at Harvard, and the first woman to lead a department there. Her courage, intellect, and vision continue to inspire generations of scientists and scholars around the world. Join us as we honour her extraordinary achievements and enduring legacy — a celebration of discovery, determination, and the power of curiosity. Newnham plan to celebrate the anniversaries of Dr Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin and her extraordinary achievements with a weekend of events from 5-7 December in partnership with the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge including: Stargazing at The Institute of Astronomy; a key-note talk with Lord Rees of Ludlow OM- Former Astronomer Royal and 60th President of the Royal Society; a series of talks by notable astrophysicists and astronomers including: Professor Anne Christine Davis, Fellow Professor Maria Ubiali, Professor Hiranya Peiris, former Ruth Holt Research Fellow Dr Ricarda Beckmann and Professor Nikku Madhusudhan; exclusive tours of the Whipple Museum of the History of Science; unveiling of the telescope used by Dr Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin at Newnham; a concert of music (£) inspired by the stars by celebrated artists, pianist Anna Tilbrook, soprano Claire Booth and soprano Katherine Gregory (NC 2020). Saturday 6 December - Newnham College 11.00am-11.45am - Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Cambridge, Hiranya Peiris – Decoding the Cosmos 12.00pm-12.45pm - Professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Cambridge Anne Christine Davis and Fellow and Professor of Particle Physics Theory and Phenomenology, Maria Ubiali in conversation 1.00pm-2.30pm – Buffet lunch (£) 3.00pm-3.45pm - computational astrophysicist and former Ruth Holt Research Fellow Dr Ricarda Beckmann – Black hole research 4.00pm-4.45pm - Professor of Astrophysics and Exoplanetary Science at the University of Cambridge Nikku Madhusudhan - Signs of life outside the solar system 5.00pm – Unveiling of the telescope. Drinks for toasting