The Vestal Street Observatory In Snow by Kat Robinson Grieder

Dear Friends –

 

February on Nantucket has moved quickly, no snowy owls yet but a bit of snowfall.  We are in the midst of renovating the Vestal Street Observatory Seminar Room – new offices, new meeting space, and refreshed HQ for the Vestal Street Observatory telescope.  Last year, a board member and dear friend of the MMA gifted us the ability to repair and to create a perfect environment for aspiring astronomers, and now we are in the thick of it!  That friend, Richard Wolfe, grandson of Alice Amey, a descendant of Maria Mitchell's younger brother, will be honored with both a plaque and exhibit of both their family tree and their impact on the world.  It turns out that the “children” raised or at least exposed to MM, turned into prolific and amazing contributors to our culture.  More on that as we develop the exhibits.  For now, know that Richard and his family have graciously donated their time, talent, and treasures to us and when we reopen this space – you too, can see the gifts they have shared.

 

In the meantime, the construction is a bear, as always on Nantucket, and we are so grateful to board member, John Wise, and Pat Marks, who are leading the charge.  Pat is a native Nantucketer whose family is very familiar with the MMA, and we are grateful for both their stewardship and pride in our project.  Alongside this effort, the town has decided to fix the drainage issues on Vestal Street – three cheers for David Grey and the DPW.

 

We are also so pleased to announce that we now have a temporary home for our Aquarium as we develop our project on Washington Street.  We are thrilled to share that Rick Kotolac, the Angler’s Club, and the MMA have entered onto a 5-year lease, and you can find us this summer at 32 Washington Street, the old Brant Point Marine HQ.  Not only will we have an incredible Aquarium expansion, but we will also have a marine and nature supply outpost, providing the island with nature-based toys and gifts, as well as staple marine supplies you might expect to find on the town pier.

 

These are exciting times for sure, and we need you to support our efforts.  No donation is too small, no idea is insignificant, and no feedback will be overlooked.  Please share with us your thoughts, dreams, and suggestions as we grow forward.

 

With much gratitude,

 

Joanna Roche

Executive Director

Thanks to a generous gift from Ella George Children's Foundation (EGCF), the MMA is able to offer scholarship opportunities for eligible Nantucket Island residents and visitors. Any family who can demonstrate a need is encouraged to apply here.

PROGRAMS and EVENTS

 

 

The Natural Science Museum is a great place to learn about the plants, animals, and birds of Nantucket. Visit us to learn how Nantucket came to be an island, explore hands on activities, see live animals, and discover more about Nantucket’s biodiversity!

Join the Nantucket Land & Water Council, Fairwinds, and Nantucket's environmental organizations, including the MMA, for a fun and free community series of walks.

 

These weekly walks will last approximately 45 - 60 minutes and will be led by staff from the environmental organizations. At the start of each walk, a member of Fairwinds, Nantucket's behavioral health center, will give a brief introduction and background on the services they offer.

 

After-School with the MMA

Join us for our upcoming After-School Series Part I for outdoor exploration and hands-on learning. Each afternoon holds different activities, crafts, and adventures.

On island for April Break? Come learn more about the natural world around you. School might be out but the curiosity never stops!

STARGAZER GALA 2024

 

Embark with the MMA on a mid-summer evening and journey along the shores of Polpis Harbor! Enjoy delectable bites, sip on rum punch, and let the rhythm of live tunes, inspired by the legendary spirit of Jimmy Buffett, carry you away.

 

Your support of our gala serves as the wind in our sails as we chart a course of action to develop a cutting-edge Discovery Center and Aquarium at

33 Washington Street. This initiative continues to preserve the legacy of Maria Mitchell and her unwavering passion for Nantucket's natural wonders.

 

Help us foster a love for marine life, exploration, and the history of our island’s waters by joining us for this meaningful night under the stars.

 

 

 

Please email Tess McCarthy regarding sponsorship opportunities.

BIRD ON! by Ginger Andrews

Photo by Vern Laux

In March what we look forward to most is the Ospreys’ return. Usually around the 23rd or 24th, sometimes a little sooner, sometimes a little later, these magnificent birds are coming back to the old roost, to the old nest, to familiar fishing grounds.

Their stick nests atop high platforms sometimes attract Red-tailed Hawks, however. 

 

All through February Red-tails have been pairing up, looking at old nests, exploring the potential of new ones. And sometimes an Osprey nest of a previous year looks like the perfect Red-Tailed starter home. At least, until an Osprey shows up. Battles between the two can be dramatic. Both are equipped with razor-like, skin-tearing beaks and sharp, hooked talons. Both are territorial. But the Osprey out-weighs the Red-tail by about a pound, with an extra foot or so of wing-span, and perhaps most important of all, attitude. Red-tails are a bit more lackadaisical. Rather than diving into cold water searching for shadows of a fish dinner, they often hang out along highways, waiting for dinner, often in the form of a roadkill rabbit, to be delivered. So in a contest over a nest, the Osprey usually wins.

 

Read more.

Night Sky Almanac

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 March 2024!

 

Full moons brighten up the night sky significantly, often drowning out the light from dim stars and hiding the outline of the Milky Way. Instead of producing its own light, the Moon reflects sunlight, which means that if anything blocks that light from reaching the Moon in the first place, it will grow dark. This is what happens during a lunar eclipse, where the Earth comes between the Sun and Moon and casts a shadow on the Moon. But does the Earth always cast the same shadow? In fact, Earth's shadow has two distinct regions: the umbra, directly behind the planet, is the darkest, while the penumbra, a circular region around the umbra, is not as dark. 

 

On the 25th of this month, we will experience a penumbral lunar eclipse, where the Moon will pass through the Earth's penumbra. Some of the Sun's light will be blocked, but not all of it, as in a total lunar eclipse. This will have the effect of dimming the Moon's brightness without making it go dark altogether. It will be a subtle but certainly eerie change. If you'd like to watch, plan to get up early, because the eclipse lasts from around midnight to 5:30, with the maximum coverage happening around 3:00 AM.

 

Read more.

The “Nature of Nantucket” and “The Star Report”

 

Shop

The MMA Gift Shop at the Hinchman House Natural Science Museum at 7 Milk Street is open Friday - Sunday from 10am - 2pm. Stop by “Hinch” to see our unique selection of apparel and gifts for your nature and science lover, or shop online here!

Winter Hours at the MMA

The Hinchman House Natural Science Museum:

OPEN Friday - Sunday, 10am - 2pm

*Closed Saturday, March 16 for Science Festival

 

Loines Observatory:

Closed until April 2024

 

The MMA Aquarium:

Closed for the season

 

The Historic Mitchell House:

Closed for the season

 

Research Center:

By Appointment Only

Please e-mail jgurley@mariamitchell.org

Our Mission