Maria Mitchell Association

Loines Observatory of the Maria Mitchell Association

The Maria Mitchell Association is a private non-profit organization on the island of Nantucket off the coast of Massachusetts. The association owns the Maria Mitchell Observatory, a second observatory (the Loines Observatory), a Natural History Museum, an aquarium at Nantucket Harbor, a history museum that is the birthplace of Maria Mitchell, and a Science Library. Staff members of the Maria Mitchell Association conduct research into topics as varied as exoplanets,^[1] and the American Burying Beetle,^{[2][3][4][5][6]} amongst other scientific topics. The properties offer a variety of science and history-related programming and are on the National Register of Historic Places, along with the rest of the island.

Components and buildings

The Maria Mitchell Association's buildings are located in various areas on the island^[7] including four that are adjacent to each other on the hill in Natucket town.^[8] These include the Historic Mitchell House located at 1 Vestal Street. It preserves the birthplace of Maria Mitchell, and contains many heirlooms of Maria Mitchell and her family. The Science Library located at 2 Vestal Street houses archives and special collections. The Natural Science Museum, at the corner of Milk and Vestal Streets, has several rooms of permanent and temporary exhibits, as well as a shop with books and gifts. The main Vestal Street Observatory, at 3 Vestal Street, includes the offices of the two working astronomers and has a few exhibits such as Maria Mitchell's famed telescope. The Loines Observatory at 59 Milk Street is used primarily for research and on clear nights offers viewings to the public.^[8] An Aquarium and shop is located at 28 Washington Street, down the hill at Nantucket Harbor.

Admission is charged for the public to visit each site,^[8] for programs, and for membership. A discounted special ticket is available during the summer for sale to the public to see the House, Museum, Vestal Obervatory, and Aquarium for one price. Tours are offered every day during the summer at 11:00 a.m.

The Historic Mitchell House

The Historic Mitchell House preserves the birthplace of Maria Mitchell.^[9][10] It was built in 1790, and occupied by the Mitchell family from 1818, the year of Maria Mitchell's birth.^[9][10] The House contains many artifacts of Maria Mitchell and her family, including a tall-case clock, one of her telescopes, and other artifacts.^[9][10]

The research library includes Mitchell's papers, as well as other historical and scientific material.^[11]

Natural Science Museum

The Natural Science Museum is across the street from Mitchell House. It honors general ecology.

MMA (Nantucket) Aquarium

The MMA Aquarium, also known as the Nantucket Aquarium, is on the site of the historic ticket office of the former Nantucket Railroad at 28 Washington Street.^[12][13] It is located at directly on the shoreline of the Nantucket Harbor,^[12] which empties out into the Nantucket Sound. Specimens are primarily drawn from the waters around Nantucket, and are released back to those waters at the end of each summer.^[12][13] Because the Gulf Stream passes by the Atlantic Ocean side of the island, some tropical fish are frequently on exhibit.^[12] The Aquarium offers programs, including a "feeding frenzy".^[12]

History

The Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) 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 American Professor of Astronomy at Vassar College. Mitchell died in 1889.^[14]

Programs

Maria Mitchell believed in "learning by doing" and today that philosophy is reflected in MMA's mission statement, programs, research projects, and other activities.^[14] Its motto of "Explore, Educate, Enjoy" is reflected in its three major programs: research in both astronomy and natural sciences, education and mentoring of aspiring scientists (especially women), and museums for the public to enjoy.^[14]

Each summer, the MMA offers "Summer Discovery Classes Program" for children of various ages, and during the school year to the Nantucket Public Schools.^[15] The MMA also offers environmental education programs to families,^[16] and the "Nantucket Family Adventure" ecology program starting each May.^[17] They also offer astronomy and natural science programs for adults.^[18]

The MMA also offers lesson plans, other materials they call "Discovery Boxes", and programs to teachers.^[19]

Major staff and research

The staff members of the Association continue to conduct research into a wide variety of topics from masers and exoplanets, to spiders and the American Burying Beetle. They have mentored many aspiring scientists.

Vladimir Strelnitski, an active member of the International Astronomical Union, is the current Director of the Observatories (chief astronomer) of the Maria Mitchell Observatory.^[20][21][22] He has published dozens of peer-reviewed articles about astronomy.^[23] One of his research interests is the astrophysical maser.^[24] His mentoring at the observatories has won national recognition for the education of women astronomers,^[25] and significant grants.^[26] Strelnitski is also a nationally ranked master's athlete.^[27]

Andrew McKenna-Foster is the current Director of the Maria Mitchell Natural History Museum.^[2][3][4] He graduated from Colby College in 2004 with a bachelor's in physics,^[28] and studied environmental science.^[29] He earned a master's in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay in 2009.^[30][31][32] McKenna-Foster has been active in re-introducing the American Burying Beetle to the island of Nantucket.^[2][3][5][6] Other major research topics for McKenna-Foster have been carabid ground beetles,^[33] and spiders in Massachusetts,^[30][32] as well as in Wisconsin.^[31] As an undergraduate, he also did research in quantum optics^[28] and ecology.^[29]

References

1. ^ See, e.g., "Data Mining Workshop and MMO Session: History and Current Research: Observations of Exoplanets at the MMO," Paper presented October 17, 2008, found at AAVSO website. Accessed September 8, 2009.
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Saving the Beetles", Yesterday's Island, June 18–24, 2009, found at Yesterday's Island website. Accessed September 2, 2009.
3. ^ ^{a b c} "American Burying Beetle Project," found at Maria Mitchell Association website research webpage. Accessed September 2, 2009.
4. ^ ^{a b} Invertebrates In Education and Conservation Conference, July 24, 2009, found at SASI online. September 2, 2009.
5. ^ ^{a b} "Acknowledgments: Many contributed long hours, tireless research, and continuous dedication. Our team includes ... Andrew Mckenna Foster biologist with the Maria Mitchell Association for his work and dedication to the recovery effort....", "American Burying Beetle: First Terrestrial Invertebrate on the Species Survival Plan," found at Roger Williams park Zoo website. Accessed September 2, 2009.
6. ^ ^{a b} Andrew Mckenna-Foster, William T. Maple, and Robert S. Kennedy, "American Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) survey and reintroduction on Nantucket 2005." found at St. Louis Zoo website]. Accessed September 2, 2009.
7. ^ Maria Mitchell Association official website Main page. Accessed September 3, 2009.
8. ^ ^{a b c} Mitchell Association official website Facilities page. Accessed September 3, 2009.
9. ^ ^{a b c} Discover Nantucket website Mitchell House page. Accessed September 3, 2009.
10. ^ ^{a b c} Maria Mitchell Association official website House page. Accessed September 3, 2009.
11. ^ Maria Mitchell Association official website Archives page. Accessed September 3, 2009.
12. ^ ^{a b c d e} Mitchell Association official website Marine sciences page. Accessed September 3, 2009.
13. ^ ^{a b} Discover Nantucket website MMA Aquarium page. Accessed September 3, 2009.
14. ^ ^{a b c} Maria Mitchell Association website About page. Accessed September 3, 2009.
15. ^ Maria Mitchell Association website Educational programs for children page. Accessed September 3, 2009.
16. ^ Maria Mitchell Association website Educational programs for families page. Accessed September 3, 2009.
17. ^ Maria Mitchell Association website current events page. Accessed September 3, 2009.
18. ^ Maria Mitchell Association website Educational programs for adults page. Accessed September 3, 2009.
19. ^ Maria Mitchell Association website Teacher resources page. Accessed September 3, 2009.
20. ^ Tracy Hampton, "Maria Mitchell Observatory," Interview of Vladimir Strelnitski, 2009, found at WGBH website. Accessed September 2, 2009.
21. ^ Photograph of Vladimir Strelnitski from the Pisgah Institute website. Accessed September 2, 2009.
22. ^ Vladimir Strelnitski listing at the International Astronomical Union website. Accessed September 2, 2009.
23. ^ Google Scholar search for Vladimir Strelnitski. Accessed September 2, 2009.
24. ^ Masers, Lasers and the Interstellar Medium, Vladimir Strelnitski 1997, Astrophysics and Space Science, vol. 252, pp. 279-287
25. ^ Peter B. Brace, "Maria Mitchell's astronomy program gets presidential award," Nantucket Independent, July 15, 2009, found at Nantucket Independent website. Accessed September 2, 2009.
26. ^ See, e.g. , "Astronomy Research for Undergraduates at the Maria Mitchell Observatory (REU Site)," 2005-2006, found at Science Storm website. Accessed September 8, 2009.
27. ^ Masters' Rankings website. Accessed September 2, 2009.
28. ^ ^{a b} Colby College website, Physics majors page. Accessed September 2, 2009.
29. ^ ^{a b} "Class Presentation and Report Materials: This fall the students in the Problems in Environmental Science class conducted a watershed analysis of Threemile Pond," found at Colby College website, Class Presentation page. Accessed September 2, 2009.
30. ^ ^{a b} Sarah D. Oktay, "Creepy Crawlers," Yesterday's Island, August 21–27, 2008, found at Yesterday's Island website. Accessed September 2, 2009.
31. ^ ^{a b} Rachel Rivard, "Spider fan finds Green Bay a ‘great fit’," May 4, 2009, found at University of Wisconsin–Green Bay website "inside student learning" pages. Accessed September 2, 2009.
32. ^ ^{a b} "Terrestrial Insects and Spiders of Wachusett's Forests," found at Friends of Wachusett website. Accessed September 2, 2009.
33. ^ "Public Programs: 3rd Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative Week, Sunday, May 25 to Saturday, May 31, 2008," Man About Town, found at Man About Town website (.pdf) Accessed September 2, 2009.

External links

• Maria Mitchell Association official website.