The 2025 Stargazer Gala. Photo by Hailey Shimrock.

Our 2025 Stargazer Gala was nothing short of extraordinary. Our guests showed up and showed out in true western fashion—boots, boleros, fringe, lace, denim, and cowboy hats galore! What followed was an unforgettable celebration of science, nature, and community, powered by pure spirit.

 

A heartfelt thank you once again to our attendees, sponsors, vendor partners, MMA Board, Stargazer Committee, volunteers, interns, and staff. Your support of this event, our Internship Program, and the mission of the MMA has made a lasting impact. We can’t wait to see you under the stars at our 2026 Stargazer Gala on July 23, 2026!

Dear Friends:

 

I’m going to say what we’re all thinking — how is it August already? The days are golden, the evenings soft with starlight, and somehow, we’ve just wrapped the Stargazer Gala.

 

What a night it was. We weren’t sure how a western set at Tom Nevers would play out — and then you showed up in your boots and bandanas, rode that bull with heart, crafted over 100 custom cowboy hats, and fully embraced the theme. You admired the handmade pallet art, vintage furniture from our friends at TIOLI, Levi-inspired lighting, and every thoughtful detail from our team and committee. It was pure joy, and I can’t thank you enough. Yeehaw doesn’t even begin to cover it.

 

Now, as August unfolds — slow and sun-warmed, filled with late blooms and ocean breeze — I want to invite you to more moments of wonder, reflection, and community.

 

Join us at the Vestal Street Observatory Opening Reception tomorrow night for a rare opportunity to stargaze from the MMA's original observatory dome built in 1908. You’ll experience the beautifully restored Astronomical Study; a ceremonial blessing from Brother Guy Consolmagno, the Vatican’s Astronomer; and an evening that celebrates Maria’s birthday the way she would have loved — with curiosity and connection under the stars. Limited tickets are available. 

 

Other August Highlights Not to Miss:

Green Crab Week, August 3 - 9

Team up, get outside, and join the community effort to trap invasive green crabs — it’s conservation with a competitive edge!

 

Astronomy Intern Presentations August 6 at 5pm

Our REU interns will share their groundbreaking research — a chance to witness the future of science, right here on-island.

 

Explore how creativity and curiosity live in our daily lives, and how science and soul are more connected than we think.

 

James Lowenthal August 20 at 7pm

An illuminating talk in collaboration with Nantucket Lights on the magic of the night sky and how we can all help protect it from light pollution.

 

There’s no better time than August to slow down, look up, and reconnect — to nature, to wonder, to what matters. I hope you’ll join us.

 

With appreciation and awe,

Joanna Roche

Executive Director

Events Happening Tomorrow, August 2

 

📍 2 Vestal Street, Nantucket
🕑 Saturday | 3–5 PM
🎉 No Registration Needed — Just Drop By!

 

 

Enjoy:
🏛️ FREE admission to all Vestal Street sites

🎶 Live period-inspired music by Susan Berman & Ray Saunders
🍪 Lemonade & cookies
🦀 Live animal displays
🔭 Astronomy activities
🔬 Hands-on science & research demos
🎨 Fun family-friendly activities for all ages!

 

Don't miss one of the MMA's most beloved summer traditions — bring your curiosity and celebrate science, nature, and Nantucket history!

 

Step into the past—and look toward the stars—as we mark the official reopening of the Vestal Street Observatory and Astronomical Study with an exclusive opportunity to view the night sky from the Vestal Street dome.

 

We are honored to welcome Brother Guy Consolmagno, Director of the Vatican Observatory, who will be joining us virtually to offer a special blessing. We are grateful to Kim Bepler, MMA supporter, for making this extraordinary connection for us. This blessing is particularly meaningful as Maria Mitchell was the first woman admitted to the Vatican’s Observatory in 1857.

 

Our friends and partners, Travel Sommelier, will be sharing details about our upcoming science and education-themed trips.

 

Join us for an evening of wonder, discovery, and celestial celebration.

 

Join us for a special Inter-Generational Appreciation morning at the

MMA Aquarium, where grandparents and their grandchildren get free general admission! Enjoy a morning full of fun, hands-on activities that spark curiosity and connection across generations.

 

Located on the shoreline of Nantucket Harbor, the Aquarium displays local Nantucket marine species and is an excellent place to learn about the amazing sea life around the island. Come make memories, explore marine life together, and celebrate the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren!

 

Green Crab Week Starts Next Week!

 

Join the Maria Mitchell Association, Nantucket Land Council, and Sustainable Nantucket for our 7th annual Green Crab Week featuring six days of fun and informative programming about the invasive European green crabs! 

 

Events will include chances to hunt, capture, recycle, and even eat green crabs! The European green crab (Carcinus maenas) is an invasive species that threatens Nantucket’s native species and eelgrass habitats.

 

Learn more about all of the events during the week by clicking below!

August Science Speaker Series

 

Please join us in person or online via Zoom for a very special presentation of this summer’s astronomy research. The MMA’s National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) 2025 interns will present their research on everything from glowing supernovae and mysterious variable stars to ways dust affects the light we see.

 

The MMA’s Maria Mitchell Observatory operates the NSF-REU program each summer and has done so for decades. The program, funded by a generous grant from the National Science Foundation, allows the MMA to bring six top undergraduate students to the MMA each summer who are selected out of a pool of over 250 applicants from around the United States. This summer’s NSF-REU interns and their research presentations are: 

 

 

Kaylee Perez (Texas State University):  How Dust Changes the Light We See: Exploring the Link Between Dust Extinction and Attenuation with Simulated Data 

 

Lauren Barkey (California Poly Pomona): Peek-a-Boo!: Exploring the NEOWISE Lightcurves of R Coronae Borealis Variable Stars 

 

Aiden Agostinelli (University of Montana) and Ben Radmore (University of Michigan): When the Dust Settles: Late-Time Infrared Imaging of SN 2011ja 

 

 

Stargazing Programming

Photo by Charity Grace Photography

 

 

Birding and Outdoor Programming

 

 

Photo by Trish Pastuszak

 

 

Photo by Charity Grace Photography

 

Join MMA Executive Director, Joanna Roche, on a peaceful one hour walk (up to 2 miles on uneven terrain) under the light of the full Moon. Discover the legends and narratives of the past and present. Enjoy the tranquility of the quiet night sky and learn about our Moon's current themes and its important symbolism.

 

The August full moon is called the "Sturgeon Moon" because of the abundance of sturgeon fish in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain during this time. Historically, Native American tribes and early settlers relied on this fish for sustenance, making it a significant part of their culture and economy. The name "Sturgeon Moon" is also associated with other names, such as "Grain Moon," "Red Moon," and "Corn Moon," which reflect the abundance of crops and harvests during this period.

 

 

Join expert metal detectorist, Nikoline Bohr, for an exciting, hands-on adventure designed just for kids! This one-hour beachside program invites young explorers to learn the basics of metal detecting in a fun and engaging way. Participants will discover how to use a metal detector, all while searching for hidden treasures on the beautiful shores of Nantucket. Whether your child is curious about history, loves treasure hunting, or simply enjoys outdoor activities, this program provides a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience. Come uncover the secrets buried in the sand and experience the thrill of discovery!

 

 

Join expert metal detectorist, Nikoline Bohr, for an exciting afternoon on the beautiful shores of Nantucket! This hands-on introductory course is designed for adults eager to explore the world of metal detecting. Participants will learn the fundamentals of operating a metal detector, from basic techniques to uncovering hidden treasures buried beneath the sand. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to refine your skills, this adventure offers a unique opportunity to connect with the thrill of discovery in a relaxed, enjoyable setting. Don’t miss out on the chance to uncover the secrets that the beach holds!

 

 

Earth Story Walk is a field expedition exploring how evolutionary history shaped human intelligence. Walking through Nantucket's diverse landscapes, participants discover how millions of years of relationship with specific habitats encoded ecological wisdom into human perception. These walking journeys trace out the evolutionary lineage of life and humanity from the creation of the Earth to the present day.

 

Participants learn tangible methods for cultivating new relationships with natural systems through sensory awareness, movement, contemplation, and creative expression.

 

These hands-on experiences provide practical tools for continuing ecological awakening beyond the program while demonstrating how embodied intelligence creates pathways towards more meaningful and sustainable ways of living.

 

 

 

 

Aquarium Programming

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Science Museum Programming

Art Programming

 

 

 

 

 

Learning Labs

 

"Finding Human Intelligence in an Age of AI" celebrates Maria Mitchell as the perfect example of human intelligence that no artificial system can replicate. Using Mitchell's 1847 comet discovery as the central story, the talk explores what made her extraordinary—not raw computational power, but years of patient observation that built deep pattern recognition through her intimate relationship with the night sky.

 

As we face questions about AI's capabilities, Mitchell's story reveals why human intelligence remains irreplaceable: we learn through embodied experience with the natural world in ways that create genuine understanding, not just data processing. This talk positions Mitchell as a pioneering example of the kind of Earth-connected intelligence we need to cultivate today, making her legacy directly relevant to contemporary audiences wondering what makes humans unique in an age of smart machines.

 

 

Learn from a professional coach how to listen, learn, and lead. This 60-minute session will teach you about curiosity, observation and hands on learning, the keys to Maria Mitchell’s legacy and to the future of leadership.

 

Jeannie Esti is a certified professional co-active coach (CPCC), but truth be told she is so much more than a "coach."

 

Esti is an indispensable mentor, educator, adviser, confidant, and "consigliere." Her work has earned the trust of Fortune 500 c-suite executives, burgeoning entrepreneurs, NFL and NBA power brokers, lifestyle influencers, and celebrity clientele. Esti earns unflinching trust and confidence in challenging her clients. She foresees pitfalls and peril before you do. She understands that your business and personal life are inseparable and the two need to be skillfully calibrated. Ultimately, she is a partner, a compagna; her success is defined by yours.

 

MMA News

The MMA was recently given a Haikubox by Megan Cifarelli, in memory of her sister-in-law and our dear neighbor, Nancy Giragosian, who passed away this winter. It has been placed among the cedar trees behind the MMA Research Center – a place that attracts a great variety of birds, from Cedar Waxwings to Brown Creepers to Red-Bellied Woodpeckers to name just a few.

 

A Haikubox is a birdsong recording device – it identifies birdsongs and calls and identifies the birds, as well as providing an image of them. It can also report its findings to Cornell Lab of Ornithology which runs the MERLIN app. It can alert you to new birds, share the birds that your box is identifying with others, and you can look and hear what others are recording on their own Haikuboxes around the country. It is passive – so unlike MERLIN, which is an app that you need to be actively using on your mobile phone or tablet, Haikubox records twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week in one area of your property. No need to recharge – it plugs right into an outdoor socket. So far, we are only the second to have a Haikubox on Nantucket.

 

This winter, the MMA was gifted a unique item – part garden sculpture and part astronomical equipment – a Porter Garden Telescope.

 

Originally created by Russell Porter in the 1920s, the reproduction of the Porter Garden Telescope was crafted by Telescopes of Vermont. Porter was a telescope maker, an artist, Arctic explorer, navigator, machinist, and astronomer. He was the founder of Springfield Telescope Makers and Stellafane – still an active astronomy organization. The design of this telescope harkens to its Art Deco roots and it was as much a garden sculpture as it was a telescope. This design would go on to influence the telescope Porter designed for the Palomar Observatory – but on a much larger scale at 200 inches. Considered one of the fathers of amateur telescope making in the US, Porter’s original garden telescopes can still be found in collections today.

 

We are grateful to the donor, Mary Randolph Ballinger, for her generous gift that will become a part of the MMA landscape for generations to come.

This year’s Swim Across America was one for the books—raising an incredible $1,000,000 for cancer care on Nantucket. Our marketing intern, Grace Kotchen, marked her 13th year participating, while MMA Development Director, Amy Young, and Marketing Director, Molly Mosscrop, joined in for their very first “swim,” walking it due to inclement water conditions. Here’s to many more!

Birding News

 

August is a great time to look for shorebirds. Yes, they are mostly brown and white in varying mixtures. But don’t let that intimidate you. Think of it as welcome relief from the struggle of plumage detail and look at location, size, and behavior, followed by bill and leg color. Admittedly, a telescope is best for seeing the latter, but sorting by location and behavior makes a good start.

 

Sanderlings are smallish-medium size birds of the ocean beach. Almost constantly active, they run like wind-up toys, feeding in the swash, probing with black bills and legs. They chase after a retreating wave, and scurry back up as the next one comes in. They often rest on one leg, tucking the other up out of sight. Be skeptical of reports of one-legged Sanderlings.

 

On calm flats and sandbars in bays and harbors, sort them first by size. Godwits (a rare and lucky sight) are biggest, with upcurving two-tone bills. Next are Whimbrel with crescent-shaped down-curved bills. Least Sandpipers are smallest and brownest. Dowitchers are a chubby medium. Think of them as the “sewing-machine” birds. They get into a line in or at water’s edge, mechanically moving their long straight bills up and down, as if stitching a hem of water. Yellowlegs, Greater and Lesser, actually do have yellow legs and sweep with thin bills in the water. Ruddy Turnstones, once described to me as “looking like a slice of marbled rye” (although possibly ‘cinnamon toast’ might better incorporate their ‘ruddy’ plumage) turn stones and flip shells over to seek the goodies beneath. Oystercatchers are unmistakable with their large red bill; Willets have a similar wing pattern but are otherwise brownish-greyish all over. White-rumped Sandpipers have white rumps visible in flight. Walking or running, Spotted Sandpipers bob their tails. Plovers have distinctive style: run-stop; run-stop; run-stop-look, peck. Black-bellied are largest, and if still in breeding plumage, have black tummies. Semi-palmated Plover are the color of wet mud; Piping Plover, the color of dry sand.

 

Shorebirds not at the shore include American Woodcock, Upland and Buff-breasted Sandpiper—the latter does have a buffy breast, the color of light toast.

MMA Updates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MMA August Hours

The Hinchman House Natural Science Museum and Gift Shop, 7 Milk Street 

 

Loines Observatory, 59 Milk Street, Extension

 

The MMA Aquarium & Sea Shop, 32 Washington Street

 

The Historic Mitchell House, 1 Vestal Street

 

Research Center, 2 Vestal Street

 

Vestal Street Observatory, 3 Vestal Street