Environmental, Resiliency and Sustainability Events on Nantucket

The Maria Mitchell Association is thrilled to announce their new Look Up Program, launching in December

Maria Mitchell Association Look Up Program — Photo credit: Courtesy of Maria Mitchell Association

The Maria Mitchell Association’s Look Up Program provides the opportunity for every student or teacher in the Nantucket school system, public and private, to visit Loines Observatory with their families and learn from our professional astronomers.

**MMA’s new Look Up Program, launching in December.**

[Nantucket, MA, November 2021] —Loines Observatory is a truly unique location, for both Nantucket and beyond, and serves as the island’s beacon for learning about astronomy and Maria Mitchell’s legacy as America’s first female astronomer. This special site should be experienced by all Nantucket residents, which inspired their new Look Up Program.

Each month, from December through May, the MMA will host a special version of their Open Night program for Nantucket students and their families entirely free of charge. They also welcome all teachers and other school employees to join them for this program. Special thank you to the Weezie Foundation for generously funding this program, along with support from thier donors.

At the Look Up Program, the MMA astronomers will lead constellation tours and guide participants through different viewing stations outside the observatory domes. Students will be able to peek at our historic 8-inch Alvan Clark refractor and our modern 24-inch research telescope and then admire their live views projected on large screens outdoors. Students will have the chance to view the Moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae, and even other galaxies! If it’s a particularly dark and clear night, the Milky Way will be visible. Students will also have the opportunity to talk with professional astronomers and learn about the cutting-edge research being conducted at the Maria Mitchell Observatory.

As part of this program, all Nantucket students will receive a free star chart from the MMA through their school to promote scientific learning outside of the classroom. When students arrive at Loines Observatory for the in-person component, they will receive a special Look Up t-shirt to celebrate their participation in this program. The MMA will also have a Spanish translator at all Look Up Programs in an effort to increase accessibility.