Glass Plate Collection FAQ

Harvard's Astronomical Photographic Glass Plate Collection is a special collection administered by the Wolbach Library. The Wolbach Library contains collections owned by both the Harvard College Observatory and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The Glass Plate Collection is a Harvard College Observatory collection.

The term "Plate Stacks" refers to the physical location in which the Glass Plate Collection is housed. The Plate Stacks are located at 60 Garden Street within D building. 

Please email harvardplatestacks@cfa.harvard.edu for assistance accessing images of glass plates. We are currently updating systems that will allow you to access images directly, but this work is ongoing. 

Please complete this short reproduction request form. A member of the Wolbach staff will follow up with you. Image credit lines should read: "Harvard College Observatory, Astronomical Photographic Glass Plate Collection."

Please email harvardplatestacks@cfa.harvard.edu to arrange a tour.

Please email harvardplatestacks@cfa.harvard.edu.

The Plate Stacks are open to researchers by appointment only. Researchers are not permitted access the Glass Plate Collection without a staff member present.

Citation guide coming soon.

More information is available through our continuously updated list of Women Astronomical Computers. You can also contact us for research support.