E-Comet Newsletter of the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association |
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Dear Friends –
September has become my favorite month on Nantucket. Like many of you, I love the cooler days, less traffic, and the warm ocean. It’s a good time to go for long walks, have the beach to yourself, and take some quiet time. And, it’s a good time to lean into all the opportunities on the island to learn about history, preservation, and nature.
Come join us for open nights, marine ecology programs, astrophotography courses, and our newest offering, “Oika for Earthling’s,” with our visiting scientist, Dr. Rich Blundell. Come visit any of our properties through October and see the schedule for activities and open hours on our website.
In August, we announced our intention to move the Aquarium across the street, stay tuned as we further fine tune our plans and for opportunities to become involved. It’s a very exciting time at the MMA!
We also say a fond farewell to our 2022 interns and thank them for their contributions to our programs and to our community. We had over 400 applications for this incredible program to explore 30 positions in astronomy, education, marine science, natural history, museum operations, history, and marketing and, wow, this was a talented bunch from all over the country. Their energy and commitment to nature and the MMA created amazing experiences for our learners of all ages. We believe these young people will take their experiences from our tiny island out into the world and make it a better place.
With gratitude,
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Joanna Roche
Executive Director
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"Happily we bask in this warm September sun, which illuminates all creatures."
-Henry David Thoreau
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Learn about the unique adaptations of turtles, frogs, snakes, and more before the Museum opens! You will get to get to touch or hold several of the MMA Natural Science Museum display animals. If you love animals, this a great way to learn about native and non-native species up-close. Pre-registration required. At least one adult must sign up with children. This program is designed to be interesting for adults and children ages 4 and up.
The program meets at the MMA Natural Science Museum at 7 Milk St.
At least one adult must sign up with children.
Members: $10
Non-Members $15
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National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) Student Presentations
For more than sixty years, the Maria Mitchell Observatory (MMO) has offered summer research opportunities in astronomy and astrophysics for students on Nantucket. On August 10, 2022, our six National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) interns presented their individual research projects. These same students will later present their research at the winter meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS).
2022 MMO NSF-REU intern class – and their project titles consisted of:
Anavi Uppal, Yale University
Getting Ready to Pinpoint the Locations of Massive Black Holes Lurking in Galaxies with Rubin/LSST
Chris Chang, Willamette University
Understanding the Evolution of Magnetically Active Subgiant Stars
Danya Alboslani, University of Connecticut
3D Simulations of Nova Explosions
Devisree Tallapaneni, Cornell University
Astromineralogy with the Energy-resolved Dust Scattering Halo of GX 13+1
Kaitlyn Shavelle, Columbia University
Dark and Luminous Matter in Colliding Galaxy Clusters
William Jarvis, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Using Integral Field Spectroscopy to Reveal the Secrets of Galaxy Formation and Evolution
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NEW FALL HOURS:
Aquarium
Friday-Sunday, 10 AM - 4 PM
Natural Science Museum
Friday-Sunday, 10 AM - 4 PM
Historic Mitchell House
Fridays, 10 AM - 4 PM
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Please join us for our Annual Release Day at the MMA Aquarium!
October 8, 2022
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
This event is FREE to the public and is a great opportunity to learn about marine animals and the unique ecosystems of Nantucket Island.
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Join us for Fall Stargazing |
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Register for one of our Open Nights, to be held Thursdays in September and October, for a chance to view the Nantucket Night Sky, including the planets! |
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Jack Dubinsky, our Aquarium Director, and Aquarium Intern, Christina Norman, visited Small Friends recently and gave the preschoolers a memorable experience. The children had a blast learning about aquatic life here on Nantucket and we were happy to use our new Mobile Touch Tanks! Jenn Dunbar, of Small Friends, captured this moment on her camera and even had the children send thank-you notes. |
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The Maria Mitchell Women of Science Symposium (MMWSS) to Take Place Free and Online
September 22-23, 2022
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Join the Maria Mitchell Association as it hosts its third Maria Mitchell Women of Science Symposium (MMWSS). The MMWSS is designed to serve as a source of inspiration and support. A hands-on experience where attendees are actively participating and problem solving. Attendees will focus on such issues as retention, diversity and inclusion, mentoring, and mental health.
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Maria Mitchell and the Daring Daughters of Nantucket Island Walking Tour
Friday, September 9, 2:00PM - 4:00PM
Saturday, September 17, 10:00AM to Noon
Join Jascin Leonardo Finger, curator of the Mitchell House, for a walking tour concerning the lives of Maria Mitchell and Nantucket’s famous and infamous women, as well as the lesser known women of our island. Learn why whaling, Quakerism, and the isolation of an island afforded these women opportunities that women elsewhere in America at the time were not afforded.
Please call 508-228-2896 to register and for more information.
In the case of inclement weather, programs will be cancelled and participants will be notified.
Members: $10
Non-Members: $15
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2022 Harbor Front Staff Photo with Moon
Photo by Charity Grace Mofsen
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Keep Calm and Bird On
By Ginger Andrews
In September, fall migration picks up. And there are new tools to enjoy it with, thanks to Cornell’s BirdCast site. Their Migration Dashboard covers every county in the U.S. lower 48 States. Using radar, weather data, and decades of individual reports, their algorithms indicate what’s flying overhead and the most likely species. Like many algorithms, it’s not a perfect map—but definitely adds another dimension for understanding bird migration. And birders’ observations can only help it get better.
Photo by: Rebecca Deporte
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“If you don’t look, you don’t see. You have to go and look.”
-Edith Andrews
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MISS MITCHELL is a new concert-play musical centered on two women: Maria Mitchell, pioneer American astronomer and educator, and her “binary star” — her sister, Phebe. Maria is dedicated and steadfast, but unsure of her place in the world of science. Phebe is driven by passion and longing for adventure, but is pulled implacably into domestic life. One of these sisters has options, and can make a choice about what to do in her life. One does not have that choice.
Through haunting, stirring music, Drama Desk Award-nominated band and theater collective, the Lobbyists, weave personal stories with the life and legacy of these women to probe questions of female autonomy, women in STEM, and the still-present conflict between career and family.
The cast includes Tommy Crawford, Laura Dadap, Eloise Eonnet, Alex Grubbs, Sydney Torrin Shepherd, and Debbie Tjong.
The Amph
Pier 55 in Hudson River Park West 13th Street
New York, NY 10014
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"Physics...is it for girls?" by Johanna Behrman |
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Listen to the latest episode of "Looking Skyward," a podcast with MMA Director of Astronomy, Dr. Regina Jorgenson, on WCAI. In this episode, Dr. Jorgenson discusses the newly released James Webb Space Telescope images.
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Learn more about Maria Mitchell and the MMA with "Maria Mitchell's Attic," a blog written on a weekly basis by the MMA's Deputy Director and Curator, Jascin Leonardo Finger.
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The Maria Mitchell Association creates opportunities for all to develop a life-long passion for science through education, research, and first-hand exploration of the sky, land, and sea of Nantucket Island. |
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Support the Maria Mitchell Association: |
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