CfA Hosts Special Vera Rubin Event with SAWHM, US Mint and Others

On June 26, 2025, the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, and the Harvard Plate Stacks, in partnership with the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum (SAWHM) and the United States Mint, hosted Historic Change: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Vera Rubin at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge, MA. This event honored the pioneering astronomer with the ceremonial release of the new U.S. quarter bearing her image. One of the most moving moments came from Rubin’s granddaughter, Ramona, who offered a heartfelt reflection on her grandmother’s impact as both a scientist and a role model.

The program featured an introduction by CfA Director Lisa Kewley, comments from SAWHM Director Elizabeth Babcock, and a panel discussion with astronaut Col. Cady Coleman, astrophysicists Priya Natarajan, Deidre Hunter, and Dominika Krol. Rubin biographer Ashley Yeager moderated the discussion. She and the panelists highlighted Rubin’s groundbreaking work on dark matter and her enduring influence on generations of people in science. To mark the special occasion, NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory released a stunning new image and sonification of the Andromeda galaxy, combining data from Chandra, XMM-Newton, Spitzer, Herschel, and other telescopes to highlight the kind of multiwavelength science that Vera Rubin helped make possible.

A ceremonial coin pour of the new quarters from the U.S. Mint was a highlight of the event. Attendees—each of whom received one of the new Rubin coins in a commemorative coin board—then moved outdoors to the Discovery Festival on the Harvard Science Center Plaza. The festival offered hands-on science demonstrations, a book signing with panelists, live music, food trucks, and interactive exhibits from a range of institutions. The event drew a large and enthusiastic crowd and blended science, history, and community in a joyful tribute to Dr. Rubin’s legacy.