2010 Boulton and Watt Commemoration Lecture

On the 18th September 2010 at 18.00 at the Planetarium, a Woman’s Place is in the Dome was given by Dr Jacqueline Mitton. The Lecture highlighted the lives and astronomical achievements of some of the most prominent women astronomers from the mid 17th century through to the end of the 20th century. All of the women featured were fascinating, determined characters, like Mary Somerville, who taught herself mathematics secretly by candle light from her brother’s books, and the irrepressible Maria Mitchell, who discovered a comet while her parents entertained guests at dinner. Pllease click here to view a summary copy of Dr Mitton’s lecture. I’ve attached a copy of her lecture which can be exported as a pdf and uploaded and linked to the click here.

Dr Jacqueline Mitton gave the Lecture as part of the British Science Festival being held in Birmingham this year. After taking a degree in physics at Oxford and completing her PhD in Cambridge, Jacqueline became more interested in communicating science and astronomy to the general public than pursuing research. Since 1977 she has written or co-authored 14 books for children and 12 for adults. One of her more recent books, Eyewitness Moon (2009), celebrates the first moon landing.

The event was held at the Planetarium, Thinktank, Millennium Point.