Unearthed after 75 years, the lost manuscript of Beatrice W. Welling comes to life this evening in “A Cosmic Treasury: Seeing the skies through poets’ eyes — weekly poems and art for the year.” This anthology, completed in 1943, is a celebration of the heavens, featuring over 80 poems spanning more than 300 years of English literature, each dedicated to celestial phenomena. From Shakespeare to Shelley, and including notable female and Canadian poets, Welling’s collection offers a poetic journey through the cosmos. Each week of the year is marked with a verse, with poems aptly timed to the calendar year. This long-forgotten manuscript, rediscovered in 2019, is now complemented by a curated collection of more than 100 pieces of astronomical art spanning five centuries, selected by Observatory Curator Mark Tovey, creating a visual and poetic experience of the night sky. “A Cosmic Treasury” is not just an anthology, but a resurrection of a pioneering work that illuminates the enduring influence of celestial wonders on human creativity.

Join us between 7:00pm to 9:00pm to celebrate its publication. Join Observatory Curator Mark Tovey and special guests as we delve into centuries of poetry and art of the night sky. Book available for purchase. Book signing to follow, plus stargazing with the observatory telescope.

No registration required, you can come and go as you please, making it the perfect activity for a spontaneous night out or a fun date with friends or family.

Venue: Cronyn Observatory, Western University

Time: 7:00 to 9:00 pm

You can find directions to the Observatory and Parking information here: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/visit-the-observatory/directions-maps-and-parking/ Hope to see you all there!