Maria Mitchell Association Open Nights:
A Unique Nantucket Experience
Join us for a special evening of stargazing at famed Loines Observatory. Our astronomers will lead an impressive tour of Nantucket’s night sky and guide you in viewing astronomical objects through our historic 8-inch Alvan Clark refractor and our modern 24-inch research telescope. Get a chance to view the Moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae, and even other galaxies!
This program begins promptly at the event start time, please arrive 10 minutes before the program start time. Please dress for the weather conditions at the time of the event, as this program takes place outside. This program is geared toward all ages, but children are welcome to register with an adult guardian. At least one adult must sign up with children.
This program meets at the MMA Loines Observatory at 59 Milk Street, Nantucket MA. Pre-registration is strongly recommended as programs do fill up but walk-ins are welcome subject to availability. This program is weather contingent and will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather (rain or thunderstorm threat). Please check our website on the day of the event for updates on weather related cancellations, we will post by 5pm if the event will be cancelled. Members will see their discount at checkout in cart once logged into your online account.
Contact email: programs@mariamitchell.org
Open Night Cancellation and Refund Policy: We understand that plans change! Because we are a small non-profit that benefits from the contributions made by our generous patrons and supporters, cancellations make it more challenging for us to manage program enrollment. Tickets are non-refundable, should you choose to cancel. However, tickets are eligible for an exchange before the date and time of the scheduled program subject to a $5 rescheduling service fee, per reservation, and program availability. If you wish to reschedule, please contact us at info@mariamitchell.org
In the event of a complete event or program cancellation by us, ticket holders will not receive a refund but instead issued an MMA Property Pass. You can pick up your MMA Property Pass the following day at our administrative office at 4 Vestal St; which will grant admission to all of our properties. Our administrative office is open from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday.
All offerings are subject to cancellation by the MMA at any time, with or without notice for reasons deemed necessary by the organization.
By continuing, you are agreeing to this policy.
Open Night: Stargazing at Loines Observatory,
59 Milk Street, Ext.
Stargazing Open Nights have begun for the 2025 season. Please view our calendar for up-to-date days and times.
May Dates:May 23.
June Dates: June 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 24, 25, 27, and 30.
July Dates: July 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25, 28, 29, and 30.
August Dates: August 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 25, 26, 27, and 29.
September Dates:September 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, and 26.
Pre-registration is recommended.
Thank You To Our Open Night Lead Sponsor:
For information on sponsorship, please contact MMA Development Director, Amy Young at ayoung@mariamitchell.org
"Look Up!"
Join our astronomers for an impressive tour of Nantucket’s night sky. Get a chance to view the Moon, planets, stars, nebulae, and even distant galaxies through the MMA’s telescopes! Learn more about the constellations, phases of the moon, the planets, and why eclipses happen.
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 and takes place at the Maria Mitchell Association's Loines Observatory, 59 Milk Street, Ext.
This community-centered program provides an opportunity for students, educators, and families of Nantucket Island to visit the Loines Observatory and learn more about the night sky.
Registration is required for this program and is weather contingent. In the event of inclement weather (rain or thunderstorm threat), the event will be cancelled.
Please check our website on the day of the event for updates on weather related cancellations, we will post by 4pm if the event will be cancelled.
Contact email:
gclayton@mariamitchell.org
"Look Up!" Open Nights 2025-26:
Check our calendar throughout the 2025-26 School Year for "Look Up!" Open Nights.
This program is free to all, thanks to a generous donation from the Weezie Foundation.
Throughout her life, Maria Mitchell believed in the importance of “learning by doing.” While a professor at Vassar College, this philosophy led to her lasting impact on the women who took her astronomy and mathematics courses, many of whom went on to become astronomers, scientists, and educators themselves.
Today, the MMA continues with this legacy to cultivate a curiosity for the Universe and the natural world. With this spark of curiosity, the MMA hopes to inspire the next generation of scientists and environmental stewards. It is also this philosophy that inspires the name “Look Up,” aiming to open the Universe to curious minds and allow people to see what before was unseen. As Mitchell once said, "We have a hunger of the mind which asks for knowledge of all around us, and the more we gain, the more is our desire; the more we see, the more we are capable of seeing."