NANTUCKET, MA—The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) announces it will celebrate DarkSky International’s International Dark Sky week, slated for April 2-8, 2024. In honor of this event, the MMA will host a free public Stargazing Open Night at Loines Observatory, 59 Milk Street Extension, on Thursday, April 4, from 8-9pm. This stargazing program is designed to be engaging and interactive for all ages but with a focus on young adults and students of K-12 grades. Registration is required and can be found at: https://112458a.blackbaudhosting.com/112458a/Look-Up-at-Loines-04Apr2024

Keep your eyes peeled for other Dark Sky week activities happening with the MMA on our calendar: https://www.mariamitchell.org/calendar.

International Dark Sky Week was founded in 2003 by then-high school student, Jennifer Barlow, with the goals of reducing light pollution and raising awareness about its effects on the night sky, encouraging the usage of better and safer nighttime lighting systems, and promoting the study of astronomy. The mission of DarkSky International is to promote, “Win-win solutions that allow people to appreciate dark, star-filled skies while enjoying the benefits of responsible outdoor lighting.”

“This year, International Dark Sky week overlaps with the celestial event of the year – the Great North American solar eclipse happening on April 8. We encourage everyone to safely enjoy the partial solar eclipse from here on Nantucket during the daytime, and then to check out Nantucket’s fantastically dark skies at night!” states Dr. Regina Jorgenson, the MMA’s Director of Astronomy.



You can find more information about DarkSky International on their website: https://darksky.org/, about International Dark Sky Week: https://idsw.darksky.org/,

and about Nantucket Lights at their website: https://nantucketlights.org/.

For more information regarding the MMA’s activities around the Great North American Eclipse on April 8, please visit our calendar at https://www.mariamitchell.org/calendar.

The Maria Mitchell Association is a private non-profit organization. Founded in 1902, the MMA works to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. 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.

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For Immediate Release

March 22, 2024

Contact: Molly Mosscrop

mmosscrop@mariamitchell.org