NANTUCKET, MA— —The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) announces that it will host its new

Director of Astronomy, Jackie Mlingo, PhD., as a featured presenter for its October Science Speaker 

Series. The presentation will take place on Wednesday, October 15 at 7pm in person at the MMA 

Research Center, 2 Vestal Street, and via Zoom. The event is FREE to all. 

Have you ever noticed the dark spots that sometimes appear on the Sun’s surface? These “sunspots” are 

just one example of star spots—mysterious patches that appear on stars across the galaxy. Far from 

being simple blemishes, star spots reveal the powerful magnetic forces at work inside stars, forces that 

also drive solar storms and shape the space weather that can impact entire planetary systems.

In this talk, Dr. Milingo will share her research on star spots and how she uses them as a window into 

teaching undergraduates the process of scientific discovery. She will also explore how science can reach 

far beyond the classroom—bringing STEM into everyday spaces and sparking curiosity across 

communities, from kindergartners to lifelong learners.

Dr. Jackie Milingo is an observational astronomer who earned B.S. degrees in Physics and Astronomy from 

the University of Kansas, and a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of Oklahoma. Her research is 

currently focused on understanding magnetic activity cycles in sun-like stars through long-term studies of 

starpots. Dr. Milingo joins the MMA after a year-long AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship at 

the U.S. National Science Foundation, where she was a Fellow in the Office of Legislative and Public 

Affairs, as well as the Astronomy Division in the Math and Physical Sciences Directorate. Before her 

fellowship, she was a professor in the Physics Department at Gettysburg College for over twenty years 

where her work included mentoring undergraduate research students.

Dr. Milingo joined the staff of the MMA in early September after a year-long, worldwide search for a new 

astronomer. She becomes the eighth MMA Astronomer and Director of the Astronomy Department of 

the MMA since Margaret Harwood, the MMA’s first astronomer, served from 1916 to 1957. Dr. Milingo 

has spent her career committed to generating transformative experiential learning opportunities, 

contributing to public education and outreach, removing barriers for students, and changing the 

conversation and learning spaces in astronomy, physics, and STEM in general.

This event will be held both in person and via Zoom. Pre-registration is required to attend either option. 

To register for the free, in-person event, use the registration link below:

https://112458a.blackbaudhosting.com/112458a/October-Science-Speaker-Series--Dr-Jackie-Milingo

To register for the free, Zoom option, use the registration link below: 

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5q4kXF2rRHi8iWbFPkLN5w

The Science Speaker Series is generously sponsored by the Maria Mitchell Association’s lead sponsor, 

Bank of America

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.

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For Immediate Release

October 2, 2025

Contact: Jonelle Gurley

jgurley@mariamitchell.org