The Nature of Nantucket

This week on the show, host Joanna Roche sits down with John Barentine , Principal Consultant and Expert at Dark Sky Consulting , for an engaging conversation about his journey into the world of astronomy and his transition to becoming a dark sky consultant. John shares fascinating insights into his work, including the importance of measuring light pollution with a sky quality meter and the urgent...

Geoff Clayton is an Astronomer at the Maria Mitchell Association . This week Geoff talks about Daylight Savings Time and why we have it.

This week on the podcast, host Joanna Roche, Executive Director of the Maria Mitchell Association, welcomes Elisa Kermani who is the MMA’s Natural Science Museum Manager. Elisa shares her Nantucket origin story and the journey that led her to a life dedicated to animals and education. From her early days at Walt Disney World’s The Seas exhibit in Florida to working with dolphins in Hawaii, Elisa’s...

Geoff Clayton is an Astronomer at the Maria Mitchell Association . This week Geoff talks about some threats to Nantucket’s dark skies.

This week on the podcast, host Joanna Roche , Executive Director of the Maria Mitchell Association , sits down with Dr. Jackie Milingo , the new Director of Astronomy at the MMA. Jackie shares her inspiring journey into the stars, from the moment she first saw Halley’s Comet as a child, to studying astronomy at the University of Kansas and the University of Oklahoma , and later teaching as a visit...

Geoff Clayton is an Astronomer at the Maria Mitchell Association . This week Geoff talks about planets orbiting other stars.

This week on the podcast, host Joanna Roche of the Maria Mitchell Association continues her conversation with RJ Turcotte , Nantucket’s Water Keeper , exploring the science behind PFAS contamination and its local implications. RJ explains what PFAS are, how they differ from microplastics, and why both pose significant challenges to Nantucket’s delicate marine and freshwater ecosystems. Together, t...

Geoff Clayton is the Interim Director of Astronomy at the Maria Mitchell Association . This week Geoff talks about what interests him most in astronomy: dust in space.

This week on the podcast, host Joanna Roche of the Maria Mitchell Association sits down with RJ Turcotte , Nantucket’s Water Keeper , to hear his inspiring island origin story. RJ shares how his first connection to Nantucket began as a Boy Scout visiting the island, a spark that eventually led him to his current role as a guardian of Nantucket’s waters. He explains what being a Water Keeper truly...

Geoff Clayton is the Interim Director of Astronomy at the Maria Mitchell Association . This week Geoff talks about what caused all the craters on the Moon and why the Earth doesn’t have many craters.

This week on the podcast, host Joanna Roche sits down with Silas Gilbert , Head Brewer at Cisco Brewers for the past eight and a half years. Silas and Joanna talk about “ Stargazer ”, a brand-new beer brewed in collaboration with the Maria Mitchell Association that is being premiered at their launch party on October 1st from 4-7pm. Silas shares his journey to Nantucket, what inspired his passion f...

Geoff Clayton is the Interim Director of Astronomy at the Maria Mitchell Association . This week Geoff talks about gravitational waves produced by two black holes merging into one.

This week on the show, host Joanna Roche sits down with John Barentine , Principal Consultant and Expert at Dark Sky Consulting , for an engaging conversation about his journey into the world of astronomy and his transition to becoming a dark sky consultant. John shares fascinating insights into his work, including the importance of measuring light pollution with a sky quality meter and the urgent...

Geoff Clayton is the Interim Director of Astronomy at the Maria Mitchell Association . This week Geoff talks about new evidence for Life on Mars.

This week on the podcast, host Joanna Roche welcomes Ginger Andrews , Field Ornithologist for the Maria Mitchell Association . They dive into the details of the Association’s upcoming birding trip to New York City’s Central Park on Saturday, September 20th. Ginger shares her personal connection to the park, the timing of the fall migration, and the bird species participants can expect to encounter...

Geoff Clayton is the Interim Director of Astronomy at the Maria Mitchell Association . This week Geoff talks about precession and the big effects it has on the North Star and Astrology. 

On this episode, host Joanna Roche of the Maria Mitchell Association welcomes James Currie , National Geographic TV host, author, and passionate conservationist, for a fascinating conversation about his journey in wildlife exploration and storytelling. James shares how his adventures across the globe have shaped his commitment to conservation and inspired audiences to connect more deeply with the...

Geoff Clayton is the Interim Director of Astronomy at the Maria Mitchell Association . This week Geoff talks about what’s going with Saturn, the second largest planet in the Solar System.

Joanna Roche of the Maria Mitchell Association sits down with Elizabeth “Betsy” Sherman , Professor Emerita of Biology at Bennington College in Vermont, to reflect on her remarkable life journey in science and education. Betsy shares the experiences that shaped her career path, from her early love of the natural world to her decades of teaching and research, and what ultimately led her to consulti...

Geoff Clayton is the Interim Director of Astronomy at the Maria Mitchell Association . This week Geoff talks about strange clouds produced by rocket launches.

Joanna Roche of the Maria Mitchell Association sits down with Jeannie Esti , CEO of Compagna Enterprises , whose name—meaning “partner” in Italian—reflects her unique approach to executive coaching. From her early corporate beginnings to building a practice that now supports leaders across business, entertainment, and sports, Jeannie has dedicated her career to being a trusted guide and partner. I...

Geoff Clayton is the Interim Director of Astronomy at the Maria Mitchell Association . Geoff Clayton is the Interim Director of Astronomy at the Maria Mitchell Association. This week Geoff talks about the possibility of life on a planet orbiting another star.

This week, host Joanna Roche sits down with Kimbery Schulam , the Stranding Coordinator for Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket . Kimberly takes us on her journey to Nantucket, sharing her passion for marine mammals and the unique path that led her to her current role. She discusses her work with the Marine Mammal Alliance, offering insights into the organization's efforts to protect and care fo...

Geoff Clayton is the Interim Director of Astronomy at the Maria Mitchell Association . This week Geoff talks about a new meteorite that crashed into a house and narrowly missed the occupant.

On this week’s episode of “The Nature of Nantucket,” host Joanna Roche welcomes Christina Norman , Aquarium Director at the Maria Mitchell Association, for a lively conversation about Nantucket’s marine life and the community’s role in protecting it. Christina shares highlights from this year’s Green Crab Week , an island-wide initiative focused on managing the invasive European green crab populat...