Recap of the Maria Mitchell Association at the 237th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society
Regina Jorgenson • February 2, 2021
The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association is proud to recognize and congratulate its six summer 2020 National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) interns (virtual for 2020) for their wonderful job presenting their research at the recent meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS). The 237th meeting of the AAS took place on January 11-15, 2021 and in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the meeting was held virtually. Over 3,000 astronomers from around the world came together to network and share the news of their latest discoveries. As is customary, the Maria Mitchell Observatory (MMO) brought its six NSF-REU interns to the meeting to present their summer research findings. In a continuation of the long tradition of excellence in research and mentoring at the Maria Mitchell Observatory, each intern presented their work, covering a range of topics from exoplanets and X-ray studies of stars, to seeking out the missing matter in the Universe and understanding how black holes devour stars that wander too close. Each intern presented their research in the format of an iPoster (interactive poster) as well as a five-minute talk followed by questions. The interns did an exceptional job and the Maria Mitchell Association is proud to be represented by such an astounding group of young researchers! A complete list of all of the MMO intern presentations follows below.
Other highlights from the meeting included: a new exoplanet confirmed orbiting around a triple star system; a rocky planet found orbiting a very old star; the discovery that the disk of our own Milky Way Galaxy is warped; a new effort to use distant pulsars as ultra-precise clocks to measure the generalized gravitational wave background; and the discovery of the most distant quasar yet observed. For more on this last story, listen to Dr. Jorgenson’s interview on WCAI’s Looking Skyward (https://www.capeandislands.org/post/looking-skyward-most-distant-quasar). In addition, there were multiple interesting panels and discussions on equity, inclusion, and diversity efforts, many of them emphasizing and demonstrating the impact that programs such as the MMO’s NSF-REU and post-bac fellowship programs are having on increasing, supporting, and retaining underrepresented groups in astronomy.
The following is a complete list of the MMO’s REU intern presentations:
- Sharpening NuSTAR X-ray Images of Pulsar Wind Nebula G21.5-0.9
- Devon Barros (Bridgewater State University)
- First Millimeter Flares Detected From Epsilon Eridani With ALMA
- Kiana Burton (Temple University)
- Search for X-rays from RV Tau Variable Stars
- Sarah Graber (Columbia University)
- Using TESS Data to Search for Transiting Exoplanets Around White Dwarfs
- Alex Granados (Wellesley University)
- Untangling the Cosmic Web: VLT/MUSE Observations of FRB Host Galaxy 180924
- Andrea Mejia (CUNY- Hunter College)
- Systematic Classification of Tidal Disruption Event Light Curves from the Zwicky Transient Facility
- Natalia Villanueva (Harvard University)
For Immediate Release
February 2, 2021
Contact: Kelly Bernatzky, MMA Development Associate
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NANTUCKET, MA – On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium, Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, Historic Mitchell House, Vestal Street Observatory, Loines Observatory, and the Maria Mitchell Association Research Center will open for the 2026 summer season. The Historic Mitchell House, located at 1 Vestal Street, will be open for tours Monday–Friday, 10:00AM– 4:00PM, and Saturday 10:00AM–1:00PM. Built in 1790, this traditional Quaker house was acquired by the Mitchell family in 1818. The home became a museum in 1903 after the Maria Mitchell Association’s (MMA) founders acquired the House in 1902 to preserve the legacy of one of Nantucket’s most celebrated daughters. The House contains many stunning artifacts from the Mitchells’ daily life in the nineteenth century, including many of Maria’s personal items such as beer mugs, opera glasses, and her Dollond telescope. The House is well known for the remarkably preserved example of faux-wood grain painting in the kitchen from the 1850s. The Vestal Street Observatory, next to the Historic Mitchell House, will be open for tours Monday – Saturday, 11:00AM–1:00PM. Built in 1908, the Observatory’s original dome now houses an 11-inch research telescope. Public accessible spaces include the Astronomical Study which displays historic astronomical collections, including Maria Mitchell’s 5-inch Alvan Clark telescope from 1858, and the Pillar Room where changing exhibits are featured. The current exhibit, “The Mitchells: A Family Constellation” showcases members of the Mitchell Family. The MMA Aquarium, located at 32 Washington Street, will be open Monday–Friday, 10:00AM–4:00PM, and Saturday 10:00AM–1:00PM. Located on the waterfront of Nantucket Harbor, the MMA Aquarium displays local Nantucket species and offers an immersive place to learn about the amazing marine life of the island. Displays are consistently evolving and range from crabs and shellfish to fish and eels. All the hungry creatures at the Aquarium are fed daily during our “Feeding Frenzy” program, where attendees learn about and observe the unique feeding behaviors of our animal ambassadors. All ambassadors of the MMA Aquarium are locally collected and are re-released back into the wild at the end of the season during the annual “Release Day" event, scheduled for Saturday, October 10 this year. The Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, located at 7 Milk Street, will be open Monday–Friday, 10:00AM–4:00PM, and Saturday 10:00AM–1:00PM. An exciting space for inquisitive minds of all ages, the Natural Science Museum is a cross between a classic natural history museum and a science center. It is a beloved place to learn about the plants, animals, and birds of Nantucket. All the hungry creatures at the Museum are fed daily during our “Ravenous Reptiles” program, where one can learn about the unique adaptations of turtles, frogs, snakes, and more. The “Keeper for a Day” program, new this year, allows children and young teen participants to prepare diets, feed members of our living collection, clean and refresh enclosures, and learn how to keep the MMA animal ambassadors healthy and thriving. The Loines Observatory, located at 59 Milk Street Extension, will be open to the public for Stargazing Open Nights from 9:30-10:30PM Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through June 27. Beginning June 29 through August, Open Nights will be offered Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Please view our calendar at www.mariamitchell.org/calendar for up-to-date information as Open Night times will change throughout the summer. All Open Nights are pre-registered programs and are weather dependent. When a special natural occurrence is forecast in the night sky – such as meteor showers, a new comet, or a lunar eclipse – the Loines Observatory is the place to be. During Stargazing Open Nights, visitors can view a variety of astronomical objects in the night sky through our 8-inch Alvan Clark refractor and our modern 24-inch research telescope. MMA staff will lead constellation tours, and patrons can learn about the innovative research conducted by our astronomers and interns – a fantastic opportunity for all your astronomy-related questions to be asked and answered. The Maria Mitchell Association Research Center, located at 2 Vestal Street, will host “Biological Collections Open Hours” by appointment only. At Open Hours, visitors can learn about the biological collections and their importance to science, in addition to examining different specimens during each session. From specimens of birds and mammals to insects and plants, you never know what will be on display! Appointments can be scheduled by emailing programs@mariamitchell.org. MMA Property Passes can be purchased for the Aquarium, Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, the Historic Mitchell House, and the Vestal Street Observatory. A property pass includes admission to the four museum sites. The cost of a property pass is $24 for children and $42 for adults. Open Night admission at Loines Observatory is $17 for children and $27 for adults. Admission to MMA properties is free to MMA Members and Stargazing Open Nights and all programs are discounted 20% for members of the MMA as well. 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 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. ####
The Mitchell House and the entire MMA is opening for the season on Thursday, June 11, 2026! Come see what is new, come see things you have missed before, and come meet our new interns who will be with us for the summer! We are excited to have ALL our doors back open for the summer! For more information on classes, workshops, walks, children’s classes and camps, and our museum/site schedules, please find out more on our website! JNLF
A repost from long ago – because I still like a good chair. Quite awhile ago, I wrote about some of my collection addictions, including pottery shards, 19 th century kitchen mirrors, and of course, enamelware. Well, here is another one for you. I love chairs. Yes, this is another collection addiction of mine. But not all chairs – chairs from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Typically, I like plain, simple wood chairs with a horizontal piece or two of wood for the back and a plain, thick wood seat. Simple, not a lot of turns to the wood, and not a lot of decorative features or paint. Several years ago, I had a meeting at the home of the leader of a group I was working with. She owned the Obed Macy house, very much untouched and quite a remarkable house. Yes, Obed was the Nantucket historian (among other things), as well as the son of island entrepreneur Judith Macy, and the nephew of the island “she-pirate” Kezia Coffin. We met outside on the side porch which was a late 19 th century addition to the house and one that certainly reflected what life was like in the period it was added to the house. The owner had brought out every chair in her home. I was on a chair high (not a highchair!) – here I had my choice of nineteenth chairs to sit on. Since I was one of the first to arrive, I took my time picking out which chair I was going to sit on – I kid you not. I was like Goldilocks − though I was grown-up enough not to sit on every chair to decide which one I was going to claim for the meeting! I went on and on and likely on and on about all these lovely chairs to her. Unfortunately, the day came several years later when she was faced with having to sell her beloved home to move off-island. She called me. She wanted to know if I wanted any of her chairs since she remembered how much I went on and on about them. It was a mixture of emotion because losing this island resident was a loss for the island and for its history and historic architecture. I went to her home a few days before she was going to have her sale and helped her move items from the house out onto the lovely 19 th century side porch where I first reveled in her chair collection and also out into the large, simple backyard that looked like it too had not been touched since the 19 th century. She told me to take whichever chairs I wanted as she wanted me to have them. Depressing. I told her I would not take but that I would buy. We had a little back and forth but she finally relented. Then, I had to choose and it was quite agonizing. Not wanting to be a chair hog, I limited myself. I now have two matching and two others sitting around my dining room table made from salvaged Nantucket pine floorboards. We refer to them as “Helen’s chairs” – their previous owner. She likely found them here on Nantucket; one or more may have even come with the house when she bought it. We eat every meal sitting in them, spend time with our family in long discussions and laughter sitting in them, and each time I sit, touch, dust, or move them, I think of Helen and the house these chairs once sat in and the conversations and people they must have witnessed over the many years. A simple wood chair – a witness to history and time. JNLF