Mars Hill Quick Report: August 1 – 7
Welcome back to the Mars Hill Quick Report, a bite-sized weekly news update from Lowell Observatory! Each week, we’ll give you the short version of upcoming events at Lowell and beyond, plus a little dash of history.
News
☆ Tuesday, July 19
New Star Stuff episode: The Saturn Opposition – What It Means and Why It’s So Cool
The Star Stuff crew talks about what exactly it means for a planet to be in opposition, and what is so cool about Saturn and its moons. Don’t miss the Saturn Opposition on August 12, and enjoy Saturn at its biggest and brightest for a few weeks around its opposition!
This Week in History
☆ August 1, 1818
Maria Mitchell is born
Astronomer, librarian, naturalist, and educator Maria Mitchell was born in Nantucket, Massachusetts on August 1, 1818. Mitchell was the first woman to be recognized as an astronomer in the United States, as well as the first American astronomer in history to discover a comet. Her discovery of comet C/1847 T1 brought her international acclaim, paving the way for future generations of female astronomers around the world. She used her notoriety to advocate for science and math education for girls, subjects that were not yet considered important for women to be taught. The comet she discovered is nicknamed Miss Mitchell’s Comet in her honor.
