Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association Welcomes Dr. Giovanni Fazio Featured Guest for June Science Speaker Series

June 14, 2023

NANTUCKET, MA—The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) announces that it will host Dr. Giovanni Fazio as a featured presenter for its Science Speaker Series this month. His presentation, “Where Are We? What Is Our Place In The Universe?” will take place on June 28 at 7pm on Zoom. This event is free to all.

 

In this lecture, Fazio will take us on a grand tour of the Universe, beginning at our planet Earth, traveling through our solar system, galaxy, and into extragalactic space, ending at the edge of the known Universe. Enjoy this fascinating and exciting journey!


Dr. Giovanni Fazio is currently a Senior Physicist, Center for Astrophysic | Harvard & Smithsonian; Faculty Emeritus, International Space University, Strasbourg, France; and for many years Lecturer, Astronomy Department, Harvard University. He received his Ph.D. in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has performed research in the area of space astronomy for more than sixty years. He has been the Principal Investigator for instruments on three space telescope missions and Co-Investigator on a fourth space mission. He was the Principal Investigator for NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope/Infrared Array Camera, which observed the Universe for more than sixteen years. He has served on numerous NASA advisory committees and was the recipient of many national and international awards. 


This series is generously presented by our lead sponsor, Bank of America. Additionally we thank Cisco Brewers Nantucket and the White Elephant Hotel and Resort for their support in our Science Speaker Series.  For additional details or to register, please visit
https://www.mariamitchell.org/science-speaker-series.

 

The Maria Mitchell Association was founded in 1902 to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. After she discovered a comet in 1847, Mitchell’s international fame led to many achievements and awards, including an appointment as the first female professor of astronomy at Vassar College. Maria Mitchell believed in “learning by doing” and today that philosophy is reflected in the MMA’s mission statement, programs, research projects, and other activities. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages.

###

For Immediate Release

June 5, 2023

Contact: Molly Mosscrop,

mmosscrop@mariamitchell.org

Recent Posts

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • October 19, 2026
October 1. {1857} No place that I have yet seen in Europe has interested me like Abbotsford; no palace has held such royalty. I sat down in the chair which Sir Walter Scott had occupied, and I almost felt his presence; his power I had known nearly all my life . . . . It was rather a sad visit as all such visits must be . . . I had half a mind to sit down and cry, perhaps because the “wizard” was dead, perhaps because I was a little homesick. This date marked the anniversary of Maria Mitchell’s comet discovery on October 1, 1847. At least one of Scott’s books exists in Maria’s personal library today – and I am sure there were more – handed about among family members, as well as available at the Nantucket Atheneum. This was truly an experience and education for Maria – touring through Europe. It was also the first time she had even been away from home for any length of time. She was entering into her third month away from her family and Nantucket – it must not have been easy. Keep in mind – no easy communication – letters only, do not forget. At least a voice at the other end of a phone line can help a bit when one is homesick. (Yeah, no, I’m not a Facetime/Skype kind of girl. I do “live” in the 19 th century!) JNLF
October 1, 2026
“If you don’t look, you don’t see. You have to go and look.” -Edith Andrews
By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • October 1, 2026
10mo 1, 1847. {October 1, 1847} This evening at half past ten Maria discovered a telescopic comet five degrees above Polaris. Persuaded that no nebulae could occupy that position unnoticed it scarcely needed the evidence of motion to give it the character of a comet. From the journals of William Mitchell, father of Maria. One hundred and seventy-nine years later! JNLF
Show More