Maria Mitchell Association

The Astronomy Department studies a broad scope of astronomical objects and phenomena: extra-solar planets, various types of stars, interstellar clouds of gas and dust, astrophysical masers and lasers, nuclei of active galaxies, and the largest-scale processes in the expanding Universe as a whole. The research is based on observational data obtained with our own optical telescopes, as well as other national and foreign ground-based and space-based optical, infra-red and radio facilities. The research projects range from mostly observational, such as the monitoring of peculiar variable stars, to mostly theoretical, such as the theory of cosmic masers and lasers or the theory of supersonic turbulence in sites of active star formation. A part of the projects are accomplished in collaboration with other institutions, such as the optical monitoring of active galactic nuclei – a joint project with Boston University.

Additionally, much important astronomical research at the Maria Mitchell Association is conducted by REU/RET program participants. For more information on the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) programs, click here.

Collections

The Maria Mitchell Observatory (MMO) has a collection of over 8,000 glass photographic plates from decades of astronomical observations. The plates, made between 1913 and 1995, contain information of value to contemporary astronomers. The MMO was the first observatory in the world to completely digitize its glass plate collection, thus making the images and data easily available to astronomers around the world.

An astronomer studying an object in the sky (star, asteroid, comet, galaxy, etc.) can use the glass plate images to reference the object or objects they are studying. By comparing an image taken decades ago to an image taken recently, scientists can monitor changes in celestial objects. Astronomers or other interested persons can access an index of available glass plates here.