Rachel Bowyer to Speak as Featured Guest for Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association’s Science Speaker Series

Website Editor • March 24, 2021

Update: Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are rescheduling the Wednesday, March 24 Winter Science Speaker Series talk. The new date will be Wednesday, March 31 at 7pm. The registration link for the event remains unchanged.


On March 31st at 7pm, the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) is hosting a live lecture entitled, “Hidden Patterns in Galaxy Motions: What They Can Tell Us About the Universe” presented by former MMA National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) intern, Rachel Bowyer. This talk is part of our FREE Winter Science Speaker Series and will be held via Zoom.


Galaxies move at hundreds of miles per second through space, yet they are so far away, that they appear stationary to us on Earth. However, recent advancements in observing techniques have made it possible to observe the motion of hundreds of thousands of galaxies all across the sky. These observations are revealing complex, streaming and swirling patterns in galaxy motions that are rich in information about our universe’s formation and evolution. Specifically, these motions can tell us about the formation of structure in the universe and about primordial gravitational waves. In this talk, Bowyer will discuss the emerging field of “real-time cosmology” and how patterns in galaxy motions can be used to study the early universe.

 

Bowyer is an Astrophysics graduate student working towards her Ph.D. at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She researches cosmology and the early universe, specifically, what observed galaxy motions can tell us about gravitational waves and the formation of structure in the universe. Recently, Bowyer was awarded the prestigious Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Award for the presentation of her work at the American Astronomical Society meeting. Bowyer began her research career at the Maria Mitchell Observatory in the summer of 2017. At the MMO, she worked on a project to map the dark matter structure in galaxy clusters using the effects of gravitational lensing. Aside from research, Bowyer enjoys undergraduate teaching and is interested in using the principles of Universal Design to develop accessible curriculum. Bowyer is committed to mentoring young scientists, and frequently serves as a mentor to women and minority undergraduates.

 

To register for this event, please follow the link below:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cy3o0mxkTAmSw59qVtmSCA

 

This is the last lecture in our Winter Science Speaker Series. Please visit our YouTube channel to watch the previous speakers and stay tuned for our Summer Speaker Series beginning in June.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnsCpmupLX6juHyeaVGydunBH6R58j8hS


This series is organized by the Maria Mitchell Association, 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.

For Immediate Release

March 24, 2021

Contact: Kelly Bernatzky, MMA Development Associate

kbernatzky@mariamitchell.org

Recent Posts

Maria Mitchell In Her Own Words

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • October 19, 2026
October 1. {1857} No place that I have yet seen in Europe has interested me like Abbotsford; no palace has held such royalty. I sat down in the chair which Sir Walter Scott had occupied, and I almost felt his presence; his power I had known nearly all my life . . . . It was rather a sad visit as all such visits must be . . . I had half a mind to sit down and cry, perhaps because the “wizard” was dead, perhaps because I was a little homesick. This date marked the anniversary of Maria Mitchell’s comet discovery on October 1, 1847. At least one of Scott’s books exists in Maria’s personal library today – and I am sure there were more – handed about among family members, as well as available at the Nantucket Atheneum. This was truly an experience and education for Maria – touring through Europe. It was also the first time she had even been away from home for any length of time. She was entering into her third month away from her family and Nantucket – it must not have been easy. Keep in mind – no easy communication – letters only, do not forget. At least a voice at the other end of a phone line can help a bit when one is homesick. (Yeah, no, I’m not a Facetime/Skype kind of girl. I do “live” in the 19 th century!) JNLF

Keep Calm and Bird On: October 2026

October 1, 2026
“If you don’t look, you don’t see. You have to go and look.” -Edith Andrews

Celebrating Maria’s Discovery of a Comet – October 1, 1847

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • October 1, 2026
10mo 1, 1847. {October 1, 1847} This evening at half past ten Maria discovered a telescopic comet five degrees above Polaris. Persuaded that no nebulae could occupy that position unnoticed it scarcely needed the evidence of motion to give it the character of a comet. From the journals of William Mitchell, father of Maria. One hundred and seventy-nine years later! JNLF
Show More