9 Dec 2016

I want to inform my colleagues in the AAS about a threat to the Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) and our landmark Loines Observatory. The Town of Nantucket, Massachusetts, is currently installing a bike path on Milk Street, which of course we support. However, in order to install the bike path, the Town decided to move the utility poles to the north side of the street, directly adjacent to our observatory. The newly installed poles are much taller than the old ones. The combination of closer and taller poles and wires means that the view of the night sky from the observatory — in particular the view to the south — will be significantly impacted, not only for our visitors but also for our research astronomers and students.

The MMA sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen, Town Planner, and Nantucket Historical Commission imploring them to rectify this problem with a solution that would not impact our viewing and research. Although the Board of Selectmen expressed concern and said they would ask various experts for alternatives, they also suggested that the MMA pay to have the lines moved underground. We have heard estimates as "low" as $100,000 and as high as $1,000,000! Our limited resources must be dedicated to providing science education and research opportunities to the children and adults on Nantucket as well as to our visitors. Paying to install utilities because of bad information and a lack of consideration for one of Nantucket's cultural, scientific, and historic landmarks is not acceptable.

Obviously the MMA will do everything we can to have the poles and wires moved to ensure an unimpeded view of the night sky and to secure the legacy of Maria Mitchell and the great scientists who followed in her footsteps. Future generations of astronomers should not have to modify their research interests because of wires thoughtlessly installed in 2016. Future generations of visitors to our immensely popular open nights at the observatory should not be told that their view of Saturn or Mars is obstructed because of wires installed by the town without consideration of the legacy of our scientific and educational institution.

Although the MMA will work diligently to save our clear view of the sky, we need your help. As you are likely aware, Maria believed in and fought for women's access to the practice of science in a time when it was generally denied. Let us not now stand by and watch as a precious resource — our access to the night sky — is taken away by careless planning. Please email and/or call the Nantucket selectmen and ask them to find a solution that makes our sky whole again and allows a clear view of the planets and stars for generations to come. Tell them about your experiences at the observatory.

Board of Selectmen contact information:
• Matt Fee: mfee@nantucket-ma.gov
• Bob DeCosta: bdecosta@nantucket-ma.gov
• Rick Atherton: ratherton@nantucket-ma.gov
• Dawn E. Hill Holdgate: dhillholdgate@nantucket-ma.gov
• Jim Kelly: jkelly@nantucket-ma.gov
• Deborah Timmermann (Nantucket Historical Commission): islandhousenantucket@comcast.net
• Libby Gibson (Town Manger): lgibson@nantucket-ma.gov
• Town Office phone number: 508-228-7255

Of course your own words are usually best, but feel free to use this text if you would like: "As a supporter of science research and education on Nantucket, I urge you to look for a solution that will eliminate the significant impact that the new utility poles and wires will have on astronomical research and viewing of the night sky from the Maria Mitchell Association's Loines Observatory."
We have also launched an online petition that we encourage you to sign. We are keen to get as many signatures as soon as possible so that we can show the Town of Nantucket how important the observatory is, not only to the local community, but also to the world at large. Thank you for signing! And the sooner the better, as they are already going ahead with the installation of the poles.