New Telescope at Maria Mitchell Association
The Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) took a big step toward ushering in a new era of astronomical research and public outreach programs on Nantucket this month when the nonprofit organization’s new 24-inch research grade telescope was installed at Loines Observatory.
The telescope and operating systems, weighing over 1,500 pounds, was hoisted into place by crane through the observatory dome’s 42” wide slit . Installation of the instrument at the observatory, which is located at 59 Milk Street Extension, will take place over the next two weeks under the direction of Dr. Vladimir Strelnitski, MMA Director of Astronomy. A public opening event for the community will be scheduled for May 11.
“This is an exciting time for MMA’s astronomy program,” stated MMA Executive Director Janet Schulte. “The arrival of the 24” research telescope will re-establish the ability to do observational research under Nantucket’s dark skies – an activity we haven’t had on-island since the mid-1990s. In the past decade, Dr. Strelnitski and the astronomy internshave conducted their observations on research telescopes in the Southwest and eastern
Massachusetts by traveling to those sites or observing remotely through the internet. We’ve also taken this opportunity to refurbish the 8” Clark telescope which hadn’t had an overhaul in nearly 40 years. We’ll have a fine, clean, and freshly painted and polished telescope for public nights when it returns to the observatory later this month.”
The 24” research telescope was purchased with funds from a $294,000 grant provided by the National Science Foundation’s PREST program (Program for Research and Education with Small Telescopes). NSF’s grant to MMA is an important recognition of the organization’s capacity to contribute to the study of astronomy and welcomes the Association back to the network of research observatories. Further financial support for the telescope project is pending once MMA has met the requirements for a matching grant from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Fund for Engineering, Technology and Science. Response to the match requirement has been steady and includes gifts and pledges from the Tupancy-Harris Foundation, the MMA Board of Managers, several Nantucket businesses and former Astronomy research students.
MMA’s open night program series at Loines Observatory, regularly held on Friday evenings to provide guided tours of the constellations and observations through telescopes, will resume May 11 when a public opening event for the community will be held to view the research telescope and the restored 8” Clark telescope, which is being re-installed at the observatory.
Founded in 1902, the Maria Mitchell Association is dedicated to furthering science education, encouraging women in science, and serving as a science resource for Nantucket. The mission of the science and history-based education, preservation and research institution is to explore, educate about and enjoy Nantucket's land, waters and the skies beyond. In fulfilling its mission, the Maria Mitchell Association uses the unique natural environment of Nantucket as a resource to encourage inquiring minds and builds upon the scientific and pedagogical achievements of Maria Mitchell, a native of Nantucket who was America’s first woman astronomer and first female astronomy professor. For more information, contact www.mmo.org .
