Maria Mitchell Association Monthly e-Comet Newsletter

OCTOBER 2023

THE MMA IS CLOSED ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 9

IN OBSERVANCE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY

Dear Friends –

October marks scallop season on Nantucket! Jack Dubinsky, our Aquarium Director, and a marine biologist has some great activities planned. Please go to our calendar to sign up. Get your permits, rakes, and your waders, we hear this is going to be a bountiful season!  

It is an exciting time for the Maria Mitchell Association - Release Day is Saturday, October 7 - with many fun activities planned for families and children. It is also the last release day at the current aquarium site. Many of you know that our lease with the Land Bank ends in November and we are preparing to move to a temporary space while we develop a new aquarium and discovery center across the street at 33 Washington. 

We have spent the last year working with a team of incredible engineers, landscape designers, and architects to produce a plan to best use the property while preparing for sea-level rise and keeping true to the historic nature of our buildings. We are ready to be leaders in demonstrating how climate resiliency can work and our site is perfect for creating an example for Nantucket and beyond. Stay tuned for more details as we begin to discuss and share our plans publicly.  

We also want to recognize and share a great big thank you to Richard Wolfe. Richard is a relative of Maria Mitchell, his grandmother Alice Amey, was the granddaughter of Maria Mitchell's younger brother, William Forester Mitchell. Richard was introduced to Nantucket at an early age by "Mammo" (Alice Amey) and has spent his life coming here and supporting Maria's legacy. Richard and his family have given a major gift to the Vestal Street Observatory Fund, and we will begin renovations to the inside of that building this fall and winter. The Pillar Room will house changing exhibits of Mitchell family history and the history of astronomy at the MMA and will be named and dedicated in memory of Alice Amey. Thank you, Richard, your gift, and your stories will be cherished by many.  

Do you love rocks? Come join our Scientist-in-Residence, Dr. Rich Blundell, in his new class "Rockin' Out" and learn about the geology of the island and the rocks that live here. There are many rock collectors on the island; don't miss your chance to learn more about these special pieces of history. Sign up here.

As the seasons change and we wind into fall, we hope you find connection and beauty in the nature of Nantucket. 

My best, 

Joanna Roche

Executive Director

jroche@mariamitchell.org

MMA FALL HOURS

beginning October 8

Research Center:

11am - 1pm, Saturdays through Dec.17

The Hinchman House Natural Science Museum:

10am - 4pm, Friday - Sunday through Dec.17

Loines Observatory:

9pm - 10:30pm, Wednesdays until Oct. 4

9pm - 9:45pm, Thursdays starting Oct. 11

The MMA Aquarium:

10am - 4pm, Friday - Sunday through October 6

Closing for the season on October 7: Aquarium Release Day

The Historic Mitchell House:

Closed for the season

AQUARIUM RELEASE DAY!

Saturday, October 7

10am - 12pm

28 Washington Street

Join us at the Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium for our popular end-of-the season Annual Release Day!

Join MMA staff for refreshments, face painting, and games as you help the staff release this season’s Aquarium inhabitants back into the ocean. This event is FREE to the public and a great opportunity to learn and celebrate the marine life that live in the waters of Nantucket Island.

The MMA Aquarium is dedicated to educating the public on the importance of biodiversity in our unique marine ecosystems found here on Nantucket. Each summer, the MMA Aquarium Director, Jack Dubinsky, as well as his team of dedicated college interns and volunteers, explore the shores of Nantucket and find and document an assortment of over 7,500 individual marine animals, most of which are recorded and released. They snorkel, seine, and beachcomb to collect over 300 different marine animals. These animals are studied and cared for so that the MMA can help people to learn more about these important marine organisms while they are featured at the popular Washington Street aquarium throughout the season. These marine animals represent roughly seventy different species collected by the MMA staff in tandem with local fishermen.

We hope you can join us for the fun and say a farewell to our amazing marine friends!

Pre-registration is encouraged.

Aquarium Gift Shop Sale on Release Day!

25% off Apparel, 50% off everything else!

We have a lot of amazing and one-of-a-kind treasures for sale in our Aquarium Gift Shop – Saturday, October 7.

Come support the MMA!

FALL 2023 SERIES 2 AFTER-SCHOOL OFFERINGS!

The Maria Mitchell Association is extremely excited to offer a second series of programming for grades K - 5. Registration is open!

The MMA is also offering EARLY RELEASE DAY programming from 12pm - 3pm on Wednesday, December 6. This program is generously funded by the Adam Bloom Scholarship Fund.

Details on our after-school and early release day programming, including registration details, can be found here and at the registration link below.

Dr. McKinley Brumback

Join us Wednesday, October 25

On Zoom

At 6pm EST as we welcome

Dr. McKinley Brumback as our featured presenter for the October Science Speaker Series.

"Using X-Rays to Probe the Universe's Strongest Magnetic Fields"

High energy astrophysics tests our understanding of fundamental physics in the most extreme environments in the Universe. Among these are neutron stars, which host the Universe’s most powerful magnetic fields. These fields are impossible to reproduce in Earth-based laboratories, but observational astrophysics offers a direct way to investigate these environments. Dr. Brumback works with systems called X-ray binaries, in which gas donated by a stellar companion moves towards the neutron star and becomes increasingly hot until it emits X-rays. Eventually, the magnetic force becomes much stronger than the gravitational force and the gas is funneled onto the magnetic poles of the neutron star. Brumback is interested in studying the shape and movement of gas in this region, where the gas flow transitions from gravitationally dominated to magnetically dominated. By using X-ray observations from different NASA missions, these regions can be studied and the shape of the gas as it moves around the neutron star can be mapped. 

This presentation is complimentary and held via Zoom. Please pre-register for Zoom.

Charity Grace Mofsen

Now through Oct. 13

33 Washington Street

5pm - 8pm

Thursday - Saturday

The MMA is thrilled to continue the residency of Artist-in-Residence,

Charity Grace Mofsen at 33 Washington

Street where her photographic work will be on display and open to the public.

Charity Grace Mofsen captures the island of Nantucket in all its glory – “In Light and At Night.” With a particular affinity for astrophotography, she believes there is always Light, if you have eyes to see it. From fine art landscapes to fun portrait sessions and creative product photography, she finds joy sharing her love of Nantucket with the hope that others will also cherish the island’s natural beauty.

If it looks different, take its picture! This Western Kingbird was an unusual sight one fall. We have not seen one lately. But keep your eyes open--you never know what will turn up at this time of year.

Photo by Ginger Andrews

Bird On!

By Ginger Andrews

There’s no doubt about it, birding in the fall gets more challenging. Immature migrants lack the bold colors of the breeding season. But on top of that, they aren’t singing, either. And their contact calls or "chip" notes can be hard to distinguish. So it can be a difficult time to begin. But focus on the common birds. Then, if something looks "different" somehow, get a photo, write a description, or do a field sketch. These will all help you become a better birder. And don’t neglect new technology, too.

The "Merlin" app has revolutionized birding by ear. It is not perfect, but does add an extra dimension to check up on your visual ID’s. It can also be used for a fun project. Recently Jeremiah Trimble, the eBird authority for our area, commented that Fish Crows have never been properly documented on Nantucket. Someone hears one, or more, at least once a year, and their call is distinctive. But in all the time we have been hearing them, no one has recorded the call here and sent it in to the Lab of Ornithology. As new techniques become more available, science has stricter requirements for what constitutes evidence. And without the voice, Fish Crows are just about impossible to distinguish from our much more common American Crows. Yet they are common on Cape Cod. Perhaps the local crows chase off interlopers before they can become established. But we know they come here, even if the algorithm doesn’t believe us.

It's hard to get a cell phone recorder close enough to record the “Uh-Oh” sound of a Fish Crow. But as you go about your daily activities, pay attention to crows. If you hear one that sounds different, try to record it. It could help stop the algorithm from spitting out our Fish Crow sightings—or no, make that “hearings.” Bird on!

Ravenous Reptiles

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays

9am - 10am

*Not offered Saturday, Oct. 7 on Aquarium Release Day

Hinchman House Natural Science Museum,

7 Milk Street

Join MMA staff on a tour as they feed the hungry animals at the Natural Science Museum! Learn about the unique adaptations of turtles, frogs, snakes, and more at the MMA Natural Science Museum. You will get to get to touch, hold, and interact with several of the MMA Natural Science Museum's educational animals. This is a great way to learn about native and non-native species up-close, especially if you love animals.

At least one adult must sign up with children. This program is designed to be interesting for adults and children ages 4 and older.

Pre-registration is recommended.

Rockin' Out Nantucket

Part One: Friday, October 13

7pm - 8:30pm

MMA Research Center, 2 Vestal Street

Part Two: Saturday, October 14

10am - 11:30am, location to be given at Friday's session

“Rockin’ out” Nantucket, a two part exploration series of the geologic story and glacial charisma of the Grey Lady with Dr. Rich Blundell.

Part One: "Rock Talk" is a presentation and popup rock quiz on the fascinating deep history of New England with a closer look at the glacial dynamics that shaped the Grey Lady. Through this informal, conversational lecture you’ll come to truly understand the deep nature of the beloved pile of glacial detritus we call home. Come be surprised by where and when the spectacularly diverse rocks on our trails and beaches come from and how they were made. You’re also invited to bring a pebble or stone to class because the evening will culminate in a fun popup rock identification session or you can try to “stump the chump” and win a prize (some disingenuous accolades from Rich).

Part Two: "Rock Walk" will follow-up to put what we learned in class into action. On a field-trip to a nearby beach, Dr. Blundell will teach you how to think like a geologist in order to decipher the secrets rocks hold. Next summer you’ll be able to amaze (or confuse) your friends with cool geologic science and indecipherable vocabulary. We’ll put our magma-minds toward meditating on the subterranean stories of crystals that flow through fissures and tortuous realms of fault-zone metamorphosis. Come walk, whack, lick, and look at the stones of a bygone age. You’ll meet the Triassic basalts, metamorphosed granites, pegmatites and porphyritic gabbros you’ve been wistfully walking over for years and finally fulfill the forgotten wishes of Devonian fishes.

This program is designed to be interesting for inquisitive persons. This program meets at the Maria Mitchell Association Research Center at 2 Vestal Street for Part One and the Part Two location will be announced in class. In the event of inclement weather, Part Two will be rescheduled.

Pre-registration is required for this event.

Four Centuries Domestic Tour

Saturday, October 7

10am - 12pm

16 Sunset Hill

A unique and extremely popular collaborative walking tour with the Maria Mitchell Association's Deputy Director & Curator of the Historic Mitchell House, the Preservation Trust, and the Nantucket Historical Association that looks at the changes in domestic life over four centuries and how it shaped homes, buildings, neighborhoods, and land use. Tour includes brief visits inside each building visited.

Cost per participant: $10

Drop-in registration at 16 Sunset Hill Lane. Tour ends at Hadwen House, Main Street.

RING OF FIRE

ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE

Saturday, October 14

12:30pm - 2:30pm

Vestal Street Observatory Lawn

3 Vestal Street

Join the MMA astronomers for a very special (and safe!) look at the upcoming annular solar eclipse!

An annual solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is slightly farther away from the Earth and thus the disk of the Moon does not completely cover the disk of the Sun.

For this reason, annular eclipses are also known as "ring of fire" eclipses, so called for the bright ring of Sun that shines around the Moon’s disk during totality. Here on Nantucket, we are located outside of the path of totality of this eclipse, so we will observe only a partial eclipse – which will appear as though a small bite was taken out of the Sun. The eclipse begins at approximately 12:30pm EST, peaks around 1:29pm - when the disk of the Sun will appear approximately 20% obscured - and ends at 2:30pm.

Visitors are welcome to stop by the Vestal Street Observatory anytime between 12:30pm – 2:30pm to check out the view of the Sun using our safe solar telescope, sun spotter, and special keepsake MMA eclipse glasses. Limited to one per registered participant.

Note – it is never safe to look directly at the Sun, even during an annular eclipse.

Pre-registration is recommended.

Complimentary.

OPEN NIGHTS:

Stargazing at Loines Observatory

Wednesdays, ending October 4

9pm - 10:30pm (Two Sessions)

"Look Up!" at Loines Observatory

Thursdays, beginning October 11

9pm - 9:45pm

Join our professional astronomers for an impressive tour of Nantucket’s night sky. Each Monday and Wednesday, the MMA will host two sessions of Open Night Stargazing at 9:00pm - 9:45pm and 9:45pm - 10:30pm.

The "Look Up!" Program will run on Thursdays from 9pm - 9:45pm beginning October 11.

MMA staff will guide you in viewing astronomical objects through our historic 8-inch Alvan Clark refractor and our modern 24-inch research telescope. Get a chance to view the Moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae, and even other galaxies! Learn about the cutting-edge research being conducted by the Maria Mitchell Association's Observatory astronomers and interns and get all your astronomy questions answered!

This program is geared toward teens and adults, but children are welcome to register with an adult guardian. At least one adult must sign up with children.

Pre-registration is recommended as programs do fill up but walk-ins are welcome subject to availability.

NIGHT SKY OCTOBER ALMANAC

by Nick Graber,

MMA Astronomy Program Assistant

Our view of the night sky is constantly changing as the Earth makes its way around the Sun. Each month gives us a chance to observe some new things, so check out our highlights below for October 2023! 

A rare treat will be visible on the afternoon of October 14th, when we will experience an annular solar eclipse. Annular eclipses are the lesser-celebrated sibling of total solar eclipses—like the one that is coming in April of next year—but there’s no reason to discount these unique and interesting celestial events! Solar eclipses happen when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, blocking out the Sun’s light. In a total eclipse, the Moon is close enough to Earth that it fully covers the Sun and plunges the Earth into darkness. In an annular eclipse, however, the Moon is a little further out in its orbit. At this distance, it doesn’t appear big enough in our sky to fully cover the Sun, instead leaving a glowing “ring of fire” around the edge that remains visible even during the peak of the eclipse. On the 14th, the complete ring of fire will be visible along the path of totality, which curves through the southeast United States up to the northwest. Here on Nantucket, we will see a partial eclipse, where the moon skirts across the edge of the Sun and dims the skies for a bit. The best time to see this will be from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM as the Moon covers up to 17% of the Sun. 

As the Earth makes its way around the sun, different constellations will be visible in the night sky. October is the best time to view the constellations Pegasus, Andromeda, and Aquarius. The easiest to spot is the “great square” of Pegasus: four bright stars in a huge square, usually seen tipped on one corner like a baseball diamond. If you can’t spot an obvious huge square in the southeast, start at Polaris, draw a line just over the top of the W of Cassiopeia, and keep going twice that distance until you find yourself in the middle of the square. This makes up Pegasus’s body, and its legs and head extend from three of the four corners (first, second, and third base).  

From Pegasus, you can navigate to our other two constellations. Easiest is Andromeda, which in fact connects to Pegasus: from third base, Andromeda's “head,” a line of three stars extends eastward, forming the back of the maiden reclining. The second star hits at her waist and can be extended up two dim stars in a “belt” to find the location of the Andromeda Galaxy! On a clear night, this is a great target for binocular viewing.  

The most challenging of these three constellations, finally, is the zodiacal constellation Aquarius, the water-bearer, located further south off of the first base of Pegasus. Though the constellation is made of faint stars, you may have luck on a dark night looking for the “water jar,” a small Y-shaped group of stars that are closest to the corner of Pegasus. From there, the constellation extends to the southwest in the loose shape of a human figure pouring out the jar of water. 

Jupiter will be the star of the show this fall, being at its brightest from early October through the beginning of November. Look for it shining brighter than any other point of light in the East, nice and high in the sky all night long. Saturn won’t be too far away, a slightly dimmer orange point of light a little higher up in the south. For early risers, Venus will be the brightest “morning star” in the eastern sky. Keep an eye out for our biweekly emails, which include timetables of rise and set times for our moon and planets! 

Looking Skyward:

"All About the Autumnal Equinox"

In this edition of "Looking Skyward", WCAI's John Basile talks with Dr. Regina Jorgenson of the Maria Mitchell Association Observatory about the autumnal equinox.

Listen here!

Maria Mitchell's Attic

Learn more about Maria Mitchell and the MMA with "Maria Mitchell's Attic," a blog written on a weekly basis by MMA Deputy Director and Curator, Jascin Leonardo Finger.



Read here!

Stop by the Hinchman House Natural Science Museum and MMA Aquarium Gift Shop and check out our unique gifts. There is something for everyone, and great Nantucket apparel for the 2023 season!

We received the most unexpected and beloved donation by mail from one of our little MMA visitors last month.

Thank you Mateo for selling your lemonade and raising $50 for the MMA Aquarium! You brightened our day. We will see you next summer!

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.

Support the Maria Mitchell Association: