Loines Observatory


Built in 1968 and 2006, the two domes of the Loines Observatory house a beautifully refurbished antique 8-inch Alvan Clark telescope and a 24-inch research telescope. Loines serves as both an active research observatory and venue for public astronomical programs.

New Paragraph

Hours & Admission:

Loines Observatory will reopen April 4, 2024. Please check our calendar for upcoming events.  L

Open Night:

Stargazing at Loines Observatory

Join our professional astronomers for Stargazing Open Nights at Loines

Observatory for an impressive tour of Nantucket’s night sky. Get a chance to observe the planets, bright stars, nebulae, and even other galaxies!

Pre-registration required.  For more information, please visit our Stargazing at Loines Observatory page.  The Open Night Stargazing program is offered in season and transitions to "Look Up!" in the late fall.


"Look Up!" Program

Join our astronomers for an impressive tour of Nantucket’s night sky through the MMA’s telescopes! Learn more about the constellations, phases of the moon, the planets, and why eclipses happen.


This "Look Up!" 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. 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. 


This program is complimentary courtesy of the Weezie Foundation.
Pre-registration is required. For more information, please visit our

"Look Up!" Stargazing at Loine Observatory page.

Astronomy Programs

When something special is happening in the night sky – a passing comet, a lunar eclipse, or a visible pass of the International Space Station – the Loines Observatory is the place to be. Unravel the mysteries of the night sky with our friendly and knowledgeable astronomy team. Discover how to make best use of your backyard telescope or learn how to navigate by the stars in one of our astronomy workshops. Discuss the search for life beyond Earth with a visiting speaker or hear about the latest discoveries in the Universe at our Science Speaker Series featuring leading astronomers from universities and observatories around the world. Book your own customized, private event at Loines through our private events program. And don't miss our new Star Report via 97.7 ACKFM.

Our Research

In addition to our public programming, one of the major tasks of the Maria Mitchell Astronomy Department is to conduct astronomical research, in particular, supervised research for talented, carefully selected astronomy undergraduate students from all over the country. This highly successful Presidential Award winning program is funded by the National Science Foundation. Learn more about the program here or past REU research here.

1 in 20 professional women U.S. astronomers had a formative research experience at the Maria Mitchell Observatory.

Over 2,000 people attend Open Nights at Loines Observatory each summer!

For over a century, the MMO has hosted and trained students in astronomical research.

1914 was the year we had the first student astronomy researcher, Susan Raymond.

Today, the astronomers and interns of the MMO conduct cutting-edge research using world-class ground- and space-based telescopes, as well as our onsite 24-inch research telescope.

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