Astronomy

Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

Mendel Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night

The Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night (weather permitting) starting at dusk or 7:30 pm, whichever is later.  When special astronomical events of interest occur (total lunar eclipses, etc.) the Observatory often holds special viewing times.  Check the Observatory Status Page and please register before coming as it will state whether observatory is open for the evening. 

When: 
Wednesdays Starting at Dusk or 7:30pm (Whichever is Later)

Star Party with the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club

Join the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club in a free star party at Battis Farm as part of Trails and Sails!

Come see the night skies through one of our volunteer’s telescopes! In addition to the moon (9/14 only) and Saturn we’ll be showing off an assortment of binary and multi-star systems (imagine having 4 suns in your sky!), nebula, clusters, and galaxies, some of which are millions of light years away. Co-hosted with the Lake Gardner Improvement Association. This event is part of Trails & Sails.

When: 
Saturday, September 14, 2024 7:30-9:30pm
Location: 

Owls & Ice Cream at APL

Owls & Ice Cream at the Public Library in Amesbury Massachusetts with Eyes On Owls

Come celebrate summer! Everyone is welcome! Families and kids of all ages! Enjoy free ice cream sundaes from Hodgie's Ice Cream (served by your Library Trustees and funded by the Friends of the Amesbury Library) Enter a raffle to win our summer creature! Play lawn games! Get a free book! AND watch an amazing LIVE owl show with Eyes on Owls! Learn about this birds, how they live, and how we can protect them! No registration required! This program is outdoors so bring a chair or blanket to sit on! If the weather is bad, this will be postponed!

When: 
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 6:30pm

Star Gazing with the NSAAC

Join the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club in a to learn about Astronomy at the Hamilton Wenham Public Library

Earth's Moon: How it Came to Be and Why We Have Solar and Lunar Eclipses. In this 30 minute presentation, with North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club (NSAAC) Star Party Coordinator, Brewster LaMacchia, we'll start with a look at the event 4.5 billion years ago, referred to as the Big Splat, that led to the formation of Earth's moon.  Using a variety of simple models we'll develop an intuitive understanding about the moon's orbit around Earth, moon phases, and what it takes for eclipses to happen.  After the presentation we'll head outside to look through telescopes provided by volunteers from the NSAAC.

When: 
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 7:45-9pm

Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at MPL

Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at the Public Library in Manchester Massachusetts

Join us on the front lawn of the library for the cosmic event of the year! We will have a good view of an almost complete eclipse so long as the weather cooperates. We have a limited number of eclipse glasses that will be handed out during the event, 1 per person on a 1st come 1st served bases starting at 3PM. We will stream the full totality eclipse inside on the big screen. Come enjoy a celestial themed snack. 

When: 
Monday, April 8, 2024 3-4pm

Full Moon Hike at Patton Homestead

Hike at the Patton Homestead in Hamilton Massachusetts with your family and Essex County Greenbelt under the Full Moon in Hamilton Massachusetts!

Join Hamilton-Wenham Recreation to enjoy the “Wolf" Full Moon with guided walks, treats, fire-pits and a craft for kids! Hike one or both routes, or just come out to enjoy a warm drink by the fire in the light of the full moon. Fire-pits, warm drinks, light snacks and a “wolf moon” inspired craft are included in the registration fee.

When: 
Thursday, January 25, 2024 5-7:30pm
Location: 

Star Party with the NSAAC

Join the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club in a Star party at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport Massachusetts

Join the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club (NSAAC) at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge to experience the wonders of the night sky. NSAAC Volunteers will set up telescopes for viewing stars, planets, nebula, and more. Participants will be aided by members of the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club in viewing the wonders of the night sky, and learn about the importance of dark skies for migratory wildlife from refuge staff.

When: 
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 7-9pm

Star Party! Stargazing at Maudslay

Join the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club in a Star party at Maudslay Park

Join the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club for an evening of stargazing at Maudslay State Park. The night sky is spectacular when you can view it from the middle of a state park, where our street lights don’t spoil the view! Maudslay State Park teams up with the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club to highlight the spectacular night sky.

When: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 7-9pm

Young Gloucester Scientists Club

Learn about owls at Sawyer Free Library with Mass Audubon in Gloucester Massachusetts

The Young Gloucester Scientist's Club meets frequently in and around Cape Ann to explore scientific subjects through experiential learning when possible. Hosted by the Sawyer Free Library the club is designed to nurture interest in science in a group setting. Late August's session is a day outing to the Burnham Field Community Garden.

When: 
Saturday, September 30, 2023 10:30-11:30am

Pages

Summerquest Camp for kids aed 5-14 at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

April Vacation at Cape Ann Art Haven

April Vacation Programs at Art Haven in Gloucester Massachusetts
Cape Ann Art Haven has a week full of fun activities planned for kids during April Vacation week. There are programs for kids k-5th grade that will appeal to many styles of artistic expression with morning classes from 9am to Noon or 9am to 3pm. Scholarships are available. Open to elementary...
9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

April Vacation Week at MFA - Boston

April Vacation Week at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston Massachusetts
All are invited to April Vacation Week for free activities exploring connections between the people, places, and art made in Massachusetts. All ages and abilities are welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. See Visiting with Kids and Family for more information.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

April Vacation at MIT Museum

Kids will have a blast at the MIT Museum in Cambridge Massachusetts during April Vacation Week!
Come on your own, with friends, or bring the whole family to the museum for a special week of programming. The museum has a number of activities and pop-up surprises planned for the week of April 17-23. See our week-at-glance calendar to view the extended hours and additions for our drop-in...
Where: MIT Museum
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Aleppo Shriners Circus

Aleppo Shriners Circus in Wilmington Massachusetts is a great time for the whole family!
Fun for the whole family! Let us help you make memories this April Vacation with a show they won't forget!The all-new Aleppo Shriners Circus thrills during April school vacation week. Enjoy elephant rides, clown photos, and all sorts of exciting acts - right up close.
10:00 am to 10:00 pm

April Vacation at CAM

Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts has some great April Vacation programs for school aged kids!
This April Vacation, young visitors are invited to discover the art and history of Cape Ann at the CAM Green!  Explore the newest exhibition, Breath of Life – C.B. Fisk, Designers & Builders of Pipe Organs to learn about these incredible instruments. View intricate models of the architectural...
10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Friday, April 25

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

April Vacation at Cape Ann Art Haven

April Vacation Programs at Art Haven in Gloucester Massachusetts
Cape Ann Art Haven has a week full of fun activities planned for kids during April Vacation week. There are programs for kids k-5th grade that will appeal to many styles of artistic expression with morning classes from 9am to Noon or 9am to 3pm. Scholarships are available. Open to elementary...
9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

April Vacation at MIT Museum

Kids will have a blast at the MIT Museum in Cambridge Massachusetts during April Vacation Week!
Come on your own, with friends, or bring the whole family to the museum for a special week of programming. The museum has a number of activities and pop-up surprises planned for the week of April 17-23. See our week-at-glance calendar to view the extended hours and additions for our drop-in...
Where: MIT Museum
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Aleppo Shriners Circus

Aleppo Shriners Circus in Wilmington Massachusetts is a great time for the whole family!
Fun for the whole family! Let us help you make memories this April Vacation with a show they won't forget!The all-new Aleppo Shriners Circus thrills during April school vacation week. Enjoy elephant rides, clown photos, and all sorts of exciting acts - right up close.
10:00 am to 10:00 pm

April Vacation Week at MFA - Boston

April Vacation Week at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston Massachusetts
All are invited to April Vacation Week for free activities exploring connections between the people, places, and art made in Massachusetts. All ages and abilities are welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. See Visiting with Kids and Family for more information.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

April Vacation at CAM

Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts has some great April Vacation programs for school aged kids!
This April Vacation, young visitors are invited to discover the art and history of Cape Ann at the CAM Green!  Explore the newest exhibition, Breath of Life – C.B. Fisk, Designers & Builders of Pipe Organs to learn about these incredible instruments. View intricate models of the architectural...
10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Music Together - Friday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
10:30 am to 11:15 am

Saturday, April 26

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Teen Naturalist Club at IRWS: Spring/Summer Series

Join Mass Audubon for their Teen Naturalist Club at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield Massachusetts!
Explore a variety of local ecosystems, learn more about a wide range of natural history topics, and do real wildlife data collection and conservation projects in this exciting club for teens!
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Subscribe to Astronomy