Museum Arts & Sciences | Spring 2023

IN THIS ISSUE

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

VOLUNTEER NEWS

CURIOSITIES FROM THE COLLECTION

BY ZACH ZACHARIAS

SPRING 2023 EXHIBITIONS AND EVENT CALENDAR

MOAS GUILD NEWS

BY DIANE ROGERS

OVER AND OUT

BY JASON SCHREINER

Astronomy: At the Edge of the World

MOAS STAFF LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director

TABITHA SCHMIDT

ERIC MAUK, Registrar and Collections Manager

MEGAN FINLEY, Research and Curatorial Assistant

ROBERT WOHLRAB, Preparator

JAMES ZACHARIAS, Senior Curator of History

NICOLE MESSERVY, Manager of Education

JOHN HERMAN, Education Assistant

CAITLYN MONTGOMERY, Group Tour Coordinator

SETH MAYO, Curator of Science

JASON SCHREINER, Planetarium Coordinator

CHRISTIAN TRAVERSON, Science Communicator

SAMI DUNLAP, Manager of Development

STEVE CONKLIN, Director of Finance

DIANNE MORRIS, Finance Associate

JENELLE CODIANNE, Director of Marketing and Public Relations

CLAIRE BRUBAKER, Marketing and Social Media Manager

CLARISSA LEON, Database Coordinator

ALEXANDRA MIDDLETON, Senior Director of Operations and Human Resources

RENAE ANN, Assistant Director of Sales and Special Events

DORIS STRNAD, Rental Manager

SAVANNAH WEAVER, Event Assistant

BRANDON SHEPPARD, Senior Director of Campus Services

JOHN BRUCE, Security Supervisor

ANGELO PIERCE, JR., Security Training Specialist

Guest Relations Team

CATHY BLACK-BENSON, Gift Shop Coordinator

SUSAN BLANK, Guest Relations Associate

CATHERINE GOODMAN, Guest Relations Associate

SUE HIBBITTS, Guest Relations Associate

EILEEN PATOCKA, Guest Relations Associate

LISA SHAW, Guest Relations Coordinator

KAILYN SMITH-ALDRICH, Guest Relations Associate

KATHRYN YOHE, Guest Relations Associate

Maintenance Team

DEAN CORMIER, Facilities Assistant

ISRAEL TAYLOR, Facilities Assistant

CARLOS ZELLARS, Facilities Assistant

Security Team

CALEB CANLON, Security

ANDY GION, Security

EVE GREER, Security

SHELBY JARRELL, Security

CAROL MAKKY, Security

RON MERTHE, Security

AMANDA MITCHELL, Security

ANGELO PIERCE, JR., Security

ROBIN SATHOFF, Security

Editor/Art Director

JENELLE CODIANNE

Contributing Writers

DIANE ROGERS

JASON SCHREINER

ZACH ZACHARIAS

As we move into the summer months, you will see some noticeable changes in our exhibition program at MOAS. As an institution, we will be focusing our energy on quality, not quantity, with a three seasonal approach. Our team will be working to create conversations and content around a bigger idea throughout the campus. Beginning in May, Seth Mayo, Curator of Science, will debut Unfolding the Universe: The James Webb Space Telescope. Presented by the Simpkins Family Foundation, this exhibit will feature large scale imagery from the James Webb Space Telescope and will take the viewer on a journey through deep space. The Museum will be adding interactive elements and more technology

to bring the experience to life. Additionally, our annual fundraiser to be held on September 30th is titled Passport to the Universe and will utilize this exhibit for inspiration and content. The fall exhibition will change the conversation creating a new dialogue and community interaction. This strategic change will allow the Museum to better market, support, and focus our attention throughout the year.

I invite you to join us for the members-only viewing of Unfolding the Universe on May 19th. Please tell your friends and family about our membership program. Information can be found here: https://www. moas.org/support/membership/ index. Exciting things are happening at the Museum of Arts and Sciences. Now is the time to visit, join and get involved!

TABITHA SCHMIDT

MOAS Science Communicator, Christian Traverson checks on the progress on the Museum's first 3-D image print for the Unfolding the Universe exhibition.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SPONSORS

2023 EXHIBIT SPONSORS

GOLD

Abdulhussein Family

Brown & Brown, Inc.

Cici and Hyatt Brown

2023 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Todd Huffstickler, President

Bill Chapin, FAIA, Vice President

Dr. Kent Sharples, Assistant Vice President

Andy Watts, Treasurer

Jack White, Assistant Treasurer

Ann Phillips, Secretary

Cici Brown, Trustee Liaison

Tom Hart, Past President

Melinda Dawson

Jeri Delgado

Randy Dye

Bruce Heugel

Katherine Hurst Miller

Garrett Klayer

Diane Rogers, MOAS Guild Representative

Judge Belle Schumann

Jill Simpkins

Amy Workowski

Allison Morris Zacharias

HONORARY TRUSTEES

Miriam Blickman

Anderson Bouchelle (Deceased)

J. Hyatt Brown

Alys Clancy (Deceased)

Tippen Davidson (Deceased)

Susan Root Feibleman (Deceased)

Thurman Gillespy, Jr., MD (Deceased)

Herbert Kerman (Deceased)

Chapman Root (Deceased)

Jan Thompson (Deceased)

Executive Director Emeritus

Gary R. Libby

Daytona Beach News-Journal

Destination Daytona Beach

Guild of the Museum of Arts & Sciences

Halifax Health

ICI Homes

NASCAR Zgraph, Inc.

SILVER

Cobb Cole

Gene and Diane Rogers

CTO Realty Growth, Inc.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Jon Hall Chevrolet

BRONZE

Bahama House

Bomar Construction, Inc.

Giles Electric Company

L. Gale Lemerand and Jill Simpkins

Stuart and Lisa Sixma

David and Toni Slick

ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

The Museum of Arts and Sciences is a not-for-profit educational institution, chartered by the State of Florida in 1962 and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Museum collections and research include Cuban and Florida art, American fine and decorative arts, European fine and decorative arts, pre-Columbian and African artifacts, Pleistocene fossils, Florida history and regional natural history. Permanent and changing exhibitions, lectures, and classes highlight educational programs. The Museum houses changing arts and sciences exhibition galleries, permanent collection galleries, a gallery of American art, paintings, decorative arts and furniture, the Charles and Linda Williams Children’s Museum, the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, the Cuban Fine and Folk Art Museum, the Lowell and Nancy Lohman Family Planetarium, library, the Frischer Sculpture Garden, maintains nature trails in a 90-acre preserve in adjacent Tuscawilla Park, and operates Gamble Place in Port Orange.

The Museum of Arts and Sciences is recognized by the State of Florida as a cultural institution and receives major funding from the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

Major Museum programs and activities for members, school children and the general public are also supported by grants from the County of Volusia, the Guild of the Museum of Arts & Sciences, Elfun Community Fund, and over 30 Major Sponsors from the community.

MUSEUM HOURS:

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday

The Museum of Arts and Sciences is committed to the Americans with Disabilities Act by making our facility and programs accessible to all people. If you have any special requirements, suggestions, or recommendations, please contact our representative, Executive Director, Andrew Sandall, at 386.255.0285. If you prefer, you may contact the Cultural Council of Volusia County representative at 386.257.6000, or the Division of Cultural Affairs, The Capitol, Tallahassee 850.487.2980, or TT 850.488.5779.

Arts & Sciences is digitally published quarterly by the Museum of Arts & Sciences, 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114, telephone 386.255.0285, website www.moas.org.

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

All inquiries regarding advertising should be directed to the MOAS Marketing and Public Relations Department at 386.255.0285, ext. 320.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER IS 1.800.435.7352. FLORIDA REGISTRATION #CH-1851

Volunteer of the Quarter

ROSE SWEDLOW

In early 2000 the Museum was selling admission for an upcoming Egyptian exhibition. At that time I had been to Egypt twice and I thought I might be able to volunteer and help in some way. Zach Zacharias ended up recruiting me for docent training and I always enjoyed giving tours and the interaction with museum attendees so I decided to stay on as a docent.

Zach offered extensive docent training for all of the galleries which included shadowing other experienced docents. I have continued as a docent at the Museum since that time and it has been an ongoing learning experience and has offered the opportunity to meet so many interesting people.

Having escorted tours worldwide (as the President of a travel club) and being exposed to many tour guides and museum docents, I have realized the value of expanding what you see with verbal explanations.

BY JAMES "ZACH" ZACHARIAS, SENIOR CURATOR OF HISTORY

Curiosi t i es in the Collection

Walnut Perfume Case, 19th century. Walnut, glass, gold, fabric. Gift of Anderson C. Bouchelle. 95.01.053 A-D

language. This unusual personal item doubles as a novelty perfume case. The two bottles inside once contained an attar of roses, also known as rose oil. The tops of the bottles are each engraved with one of Byron’s initials. N. B. for Noel Byron, his full name was George Gordon Noel Byron.

A must-see in the exhibition is the most elegant chicken coup you will ever lay eyes on made in China around 1890. The coup is made of wood from an elm tree with brass fittings and looks like a piece of antique furniture. Such fancy coops were made in many regions of China using

the local woods of the area. Because this henhouse is ornate, it was most likely owned by a wealthy family or individual. Many times these coops incorporated traditional Chinese architecture. They are considered very rare today.

A very curious and odd object is the 1880 French Porcelain toothpick figurine holder depicting a half-woman and half-bird being wearing a white dress. Antique toothpick holders are small, decorative containers designed to hold toothpicks. They were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and were often made of silver, glass,

or ceramic. They were produced in a variety of styles, including ornate Victorian designs and Art Nouveau motifs.

The Museum also has on display a piece of wallpaper from Napoleon’s last home while in exile on the island of St. Helena. Napoleonic wallpaper refers to designs that became popular during the Napoleonic era in France, which lasted from the late 18th to early 19th century. This style of wallpaper was heavily influenced by the classical and Empire styles, which were characterized by motifs such as military emblems, eagles, and imperial symbols.

Left: Walnut Perfume Case, 19th century. Walnut, glass, gold, fabric. Gift of Anderson C. Bouchelle. 95.01.053 A-D. Right: China, Chicken Coop Cabinet, 1890s. Chinese elm and brass. Gift of Judy Caldwell in memory of James K. Caldwell. 2012.10.001.

The 1880s Hunt Mug, a gift from Kenneth Worcester Dow and Mary Mohan, is a stoneware jug called a Tyg. This type of ceramic mug is typically made of thicker material and has a heavier weight compared to regular ceramic mugs. The term "tyg" is derived from the word "tankard", which was historically used to describe a large mug with a handle, typically used for drinking beer or ale. The most distinct feature of a Tyg is that it has two or more handles. This is so that the mug can be passed around a table with each new drinker holding a different handle and drinking from a different spot on the rim.

Curiosity cabinets, be they a single piece of furniture or an entire building, have played a vital role in the development of discovery and science. Eventually, museums were built to house these massive collections and give the general public access to them. No longer did they simply represent wealth but they became a way for all curious persons to experience our wonderful, wide world and support scientific education and discovery. Come to the Museum and see some unusual items from the Museum’s collection of odd decorative objects. Ask questions and learn something new. That is what the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences is here for.

Left: France, Toothpick Holder Figurine, c. 1880. Porcelain. Gift of Kenneth Worcester Dow and Mary Mohan Dow. Right: 2004.05.189.France, Wallpaper from St. Helena, 1820s. Paper and paint. Gift of Gary R. Libby in honor of Kenneth Worcester Dow and Mary Mohan Dow. 2004.17.019.

England, Hunt Mug, 1880s. Stoneware. Gift of Kenneth Worcester Dow and Mary Mohan Dow. 2004.05.067.

SPRING EXHIBITS

Florida Artists Group Statewide Exhibition

OPEN THROUGH APRIL 23, 2023

EDWARD E. AND JANE B. FORD GALLERY

The Florida Artists Group is the state’s premier professional-level artists’ organization. Established in 1949 by art leaders and University professors, this prestigious statewide Florida organization is composed of more than one hundred rigorously selected and invited members, many of whom are nationally and internationally recognized. FLAG’s mission is to enhance understanding of the myriad of visual art forms created today. This exhibition will bring together a selection of works by many of the best professional-level artists working in Florida today and all eight areas of the state will be represented.

A Treasury of Indian and Persian Miniature Painting

OPEN THROUGH FEBRUARY 5, 2023

FORD GALLERY

The complex cultural heritage of India is woven into a rich, colorful fabric in this compilation of Indian miniature paintings. The first Indian paintings to receive notice and appreciation in the West were the miniature, created for the Mughal courts of India. Their realistically rendered tableaux of court life, warfare and portraiture appealed to Western tastes. Other works comprising this exhibit include Deccani: Muslim paintings from South India, Rajasthani: Paintings from the plains in North India, Pahari: Paintings from the Himalayan foothills, and the Dhruva Folios, which illustrate portions of the Prince Dhruva story from the fourth book (Pusan) of the Bhagavata-Purana. Image Credit: Embracing Couple with Female Server, 89.16.527, 19th century, Gift of Kenneth Worcester Dow and Mary Mohan Dow

Florida women's artist association

OPEN THROUGH MAY 29, 2023

ROOT HALL

Local women’s arts group that produces a unique exhibition each year consisting of art applied to objects beyond the usual canvas such as umbrellas or, this year, paper kites.

Curiosities from the Collection

OPEN THROUGH MAY 7, 2023

BOUCHELLE CHANGING GALLERY

The MOAS collections contain many fascinating curiosities from the past including “Lord Byron’s Walnut” (a tiny perfume case made out of a walnut given to the wife of the painter John Hoppner) a small Egyptian cuneiform tablet, a box made of a mastodon tooth, a framed portion of the wallpaper from Napoleon’s last home in exile on the island of St. Helena, porcelain figures of humanoid shrimp and lobsters, a sword with a rooster head for a handle, miniature wooden replica of a butcher shop, a Polynesian star chart, and a three-handled ceramic mug. This exhibition will bring these rarely-exhibited unusual items out of storage to showcase the uniqueness of the MOAS collections.

Caribbean Indigenous Resistance / Resistencia indígena del Caribe: ¡Taino Vive!

OPEN MAY 13, 2023

THROUGH AUGUST 6, 2023

KARSHAN CENTER OF GRAPHIC ART

In 1492, the Indigenous peoples of the northern Caribbean islands, popularly known as the Taíno, discovered Christopher Columbus. The encounter set in motion an invasion by Spanish soldiers, priests, and colonists that devastated the Taíno civilization and decimated its population. By the 1550s, colonial officials deemed the Taíno extinct. In reality, the Taíno and their culture resisted, survived, and continue to make an impact around the world today.

The bilingual exhibition Caribbean Indigenous Resistance / Resistencia indígena del Caribe: ¡Taino Vive! tells the captivating story of the endurance and courage of these Caribbean peoples. The exhibition examines the history of these Spanish and English-speaking islands, and the impact and legacy of Caribbean Indigenous knowledge throughout the world.

Visitors will learn about the Caribbean Indigenous survival journey through stories, contemporary crafts, musical instruments, and utilitarian objects. The exhibition will include video content and more than 60 striking images and graphics on freestanding structures. It will explore the rich and enduring cultural legacies of the region, the value and impact of the

culture’s knowledge on the world, and the complicated questions around heritage, ancestry, and race that emerge from Taíno identities today.

Caribbean Indigenous Resistance / Resistencia indígena del Caribe: ¡Taíno Vive! is organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the National Museum of the American Indian and the National Museum of the American Latino.

This exhibition received federal support from the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the National Museum of the American Latino.

Image caption: Boynayel Mota of the Taino group Yukayeke Kiskeya overlooking the mountains of this indigenous ancestors in Maguana Arriba, Dominican Republic. August 17th, 2021. Image Credit: Photo by Delvin Ortega, Ortega Films, Dominican Republic.

Currently on Display at the

Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art

Volusia County

Scenes from Volusia County and the importance of art schools and art venues in the development of culture within the county. Featured painting: South Beach Street, Daytona, James Ralph Wilcox, Volusia County

Florida Weather

FRANCE FAMILY GALLERY

Experience a myriad of Florida weather in just one day. The Florida Weather gallery offers a look at Florida weather as represented by art. Featured painting: Naomi Duckman (Furth); Storm on Seven Mile Bridge, Florida Keys, 1935

Unfolding the Universe: The James Webb Space Telescope

OPEN MAY 20, 2023

THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2023

EDWARD E. AND JANE B. FORD GALLERY

We are peering deeper into the universe than ever before with NASA’s newest space-based observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope. As the successor and complement, to the famed Hubble Space Telescope Webb sees in infrared light and has already provided tremendous insights into the mysteries of the universe. On display is a collection of some of the most mesmerizing imagery captured by Webb so far as we highlight stars, planets in-andout of our Solar System, star-forming nebulae, massive galaxies, and some of the most distant objects ever observed. There are an assortment of 3D printed displays throughout the gallery, exploring the innovative technology of Webb and providing a unique perspective of various celestial objects featured in the imagery.

Key West: Southernmost USA

A. WORLEY BROWN & FAMILY GALLERY

SENA H. & THOMAS ZANE GALLERY

Key West is an island located at the end of the Florida Keys, a chain of small, coral islands off the southern sip of Florida. It is the southern most point of the continental United States. The works in this exhibition demonstrate the variety of media that has been employed by artist to capture the events and scenes throughout Key West. Featured painting: Dock Scene, ca. 1980, William Nelson, oil on canvas

The Seminole and the Everglades

FRANCE FAMILY GALLERY

The Everglades is a region of tropical wetlands that occupies the southern portion of Florida. Water leaving the vast, shallow Lake Okeechobee in the wet season forms a slow-moving river 60 miles wide and over 100 miles long. Human habitation in the southern portion of the Florida peninsula dates from 15,000 years ago. The region was dominated by the native Calusa and Tequesta tribes. After European colonization, both tribes declined. The Seminole nation emerged out of groups of Native Americans, mostly Creek, from what are now the northern Muscogee peoples. Artists from the early 19th century on have found the visual characteristics of the people and the land compelling subjects for artworks. Featured painting: James F. Hutchinson; Seminole Man, 1992

SPRING PROGRAMS

Museum Notice: Please note that any of these events are subject to change or cancellation. Please check the event calendar at MOAS.org for the latest updates on these upcoming events.

Saturday, April 8

7:00pm-10:00pm

Second Saturday Laser Rock Concerts Rock-out monthly during one of the Museum's Second Saturday Laser Rock Concerts in the Lohman Planetarium.

7:00pm: Laser Retro

8:00pm: Laser Beatles

9:00pm: Laser Zeppelin Seating is limited. Advanced purchase of tickets is recommended by calling the Museum at 386-255-0285 or at MOAS.org. $4.00 per show for members, $5.00 per show for non-members.

Wednesday, April 12

April

Saturday, April 8

11:00am-5:00pm

MOAS Space Day

Join us for the Museum’s biggest celestial event of the year as we celebrate all things space in an engaging and interactive environment for the whole family. Learn about the science, exploration, and beauty of space through exciting lectures, shows in the Lohman Planetarium, hands-on activities, and solar observing with telescopes in our front entrance courtyard (weather permitting). Throughout the Museum, there will be displays and activities from MOAS, the GE Volunteers, ERAU’s ERFSEDS Rocket Club, Amateur Astronomy Club, the Society of Women Engineers, and Astronomy Professors from the University’s Physical Sciences Department. A food truck will also be set up in our courtyard loop for your enjoyment. Stay tuned for our speaker and show lineup in the Lohman Planetarium. We cannot wait to see you for this out-of-this-world event. Free for members or with paid museum admission. Tickets for planetarium presentations are included with admission and are on a firstcome, first-served basis.

SCHEDULE

11:00am: Little Star That Could | LOHMAN

PLANETARIUM

12:00pm: “Wonders of the Universe” with Seth Mayo, Curator of Astronomy

1:00pm: Astronomy at the Edge of the World with Jason Schreiner, Planetarium Coordinator

2:15pm: "Path to the Moon: What's Ahead for NASA's Artemis Program" with Brendan Byrne, 90.7 WMFE's Space Reporter

3:15pm: Cameras in Space: EagleCam and LLAMAS with ERAU's Space Technologies Lab

4:15pm: Electropop Laser Show Under the Stars by Christian Traverson, Planetarium Educator

12:30pm-4:00pm: Paper rocket building and launching

12:00pm-5:00pm: Space displays and activities

3:00pm-4:00pm

Talk and Walk: Everglades in the Landscapes at the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art Join Senior Curator of Education and History, Zach Zacharias at the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art for a tour of the paintings of the Everglades throughout the Museum. The Everglades, the largest sub-tropical ecosystem in the United States, has a long and unique environmental history. Artists from the early 19th century have found the visual characteristics of the people and the land compelling subjects for artworks. The climatic conditions change frequently giving new dimensions of color, motion, and light to the landscape. The dramatic variables are a challenge to the painting attempting to capture a specific moment and the flora and fauna are often unique and fascinating. Free for members or with paid museum admission.

Friday, April 14 6:30pm-8:30pm

Bonkerz Comedy Night

Join us in the Root Family Auditorium at MOAS for a fun night with Bonkerz Comedy Club featuring Norm Stulz as seen on HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central, ABC and NBC! Truth is always funnier than fiction and no one can tell the truth more humorously than Norm Stulz. Norm takes the events of his life and transforms them into hilarious pieces which are timeless.Doors open at 6:00pm. This comedy show is recommended for those ages 18 and older. Seating is limited and advanced RSVP is strongly encouraged by visiting MOAS.org or by calling the Museum at 386-255-0285. $10.00 for members, $12.00 for non-members.

Saturday, April 15 1:00pm-2:00pm

FLAG Gallery Talk

Join us at the Museum of Arts & Sciences where three Volusia and Orange County artists featured in the Florida Artists Group's 73rd Annual Exhibit entitled "Sensations" will give a gallery talk. They are abstract-expressionist painter, Beau Wild, realist painters, Fran Carson and Francisco Arias, and sculptor Cheryl Bogdanowitsch who will all team up to talk about their unique perspectives when approaching art. Come see how their artwork enhances your senses, opens your eyes, and stretches your imagination. Free for members or with paid museum admission.

Thursday, April 20

2:00pm-3:30pm

Florida Vistas Book Club: Zora Neale Hurston on Florida Food: Recipes, Remedies & Simple Pleasures

Join us for our next Florida history book club meeting at the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art where we will be discussing Zora Neale Hurston on Florida Food: Recipes, Remedies & Simple Pleasures by Zora Neale Hurston. Florida native Zora Neale Hurston's early twentieth-century ethnographic research and writing emphasizes the essentials of food in Florida through simple dishes and recipes. It considers foods prepared for everyday meals as well as special occasions and looks at what shaped people's eating traditions in early twentieth-century Florida. Hurston did for Florida what William Faulkner did for Mississippi - provided insight into a state's history and culture through various styles of writing. Her collected food stories, folklore and remedies, and the related recipes food professor Fred Opie pairs with them, are essential reading for those who love to cook and eat. RSVP by calling the Museum at 386255-0285 or register online.

Free for members, $5.00 for future members.

Saturday, April 22

1:00pm-2:30pm

Advanced Family Chess Class

Join instructors from the Volusia County Chess Club in the MOAS Classroom within the Children’s Museum to advance your skills in chess! Strategic play and problem-solving skills are highlighted in this higher-level chess class. Chess is a great way to boost your thinking skills and it is also said to help with memory storage. This class is for those ages 9 and older. Seating is limited and advanced RSVP is required by calling the Museum at 386-2550285 or by registering online at MOAS.org. $10.00 for members or $15.00 for non-members.

Saturday, April 22

1:00pm-3:00pm

Earth Day

Join us in the Lohman Planetarium to commemorate the 53rd annual Earth Day with an episode each of BBC’s The Green Planet and Planet Earth III, presented and narrated by naturalist Sir David Attenborough. View your home planet like never before in 4K Ultra High Definition. Popcorn and snacks will be available for purchase at the concession stand. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis for each show.

Free for members or with paid museum admission.

SCHEDULE

1:00pm: The Green Planet (Water Worlds)

2:00pm: The Green Planet (Seasonal Worlds)

Saturday, April 22 3:00pm-4:30pm

An Afternoon with Florida History

Join us in the Root Family Auditorium for an afternoon with Florida history. Free for member or with paid museum admission.

The Naval Civil War in Florida

Join Robert Mattison as he discusses his book “The Naval Civil War in Florida. ”Rob Mattson has been participating in Civil War Naval living history for 18 years. To help with his research, he became a contributing blogger to the US Navy website 'The Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial' during the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War in 2011-2015, writing about Civil War naval events in Florida over that period. From this work, he authored and published a book, “The Civil War Navy in Florida,” an overview of naval actions in Florida during the war. His program will feature excerpts of events chronicled in the book and a book signing.

The Gilded Age in Florida

Learn how Florida changed after the Civil War from a backwater state to a Victorian paradise. Railroads, steamboat travel, mega resorts, and tourism began to flourish in the Gilded Age as Florida shed its southern roots and culture. Major industries took hold during this time like the cigar industry, sponging, cattle driving, and phosphate mining. Join Senior Curator of Education and History J. Zach Zacharias for a talk on this littleknown history of Florida.

Wednesday, April 26 12:00pm-1:30pm

Lunch and Learn: Symbolism in Landscapes at the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art

Join Senior Curator of History, Zach Zacharias along with Master Landscape Artist Arnold Desmarais at the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art and discover the symbolism that is so carefully placed in many of the Florida landscape paintings. From river scenes to sunsets these subtle symbols point to something more, conveying ideas, emotions, and qualities. These artists used symbolism to communicate ideas and it is part of the artist’s inner subjectivity. Space is limited and advanced RSVP and paid lunch are required. Register online at MOAS.org or by calling the Museum at 386-255-0285.

Member Admission: Lecture is free plus $10.00 boxed lunch. Future Member Admission: Lecture is $10.00 plus $10.00 boxed lunch.

Thursday, April 27 5:30pm-7:30pm

Wine Tasting: Floral and Fruity

Join us at the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art for our wine tasting series with S.R. Perrott. Spend the evening among friends while you sip up knowledge on swirling, tasting, and describing wine while learning about different pairings of light appetizers from Ravish Catering. As we move into spring, this month's program will feature wine with notes of florals and fruits.. Register online at MOAS.org or by calling the Museum at 386-255-0285.

$35.00 for members, $45.00 for non-members.

Saturday, April 29 3:00pm-4:00pm

Big Astronomy

Join us in the Lohman Planetarium on International Astronomy Day for a special presentation of the award-winning Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries, which showcases the diverse people who enable discoveries at world-class observatories in Chile. Big Astronomy is a multifaceted research and outreach project supported by several partners and funded by the National Science Foundation. Big Astronomy will be presented in both English and in Spanish at 4:00pm.

This event is free for members or with paid museum admission. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis for each show.

Saturday, April 29

4:00pm-5:00pm

Big Astronomy (Spanish Presentation)

Join us in the Lohman Planetarium on International Astronomy Day for a special presentation of the award-winning Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries in Spanish, which showcases the diverse people who enable discoveries at worldclass observatories in Chile. Big Astronomy is a multifaceted research and outreach project supported by several partners and funded by the National Science Foundation. This event is free for members or with paid museum admission. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis for each show.

May

Monday, May 8

10:00am-6:30pm

Coca-Cola Day at the Museum

May 8th is National Have a Coke Day. Join us at the Museum of Arts & Sciences in the Root Family Museum where Preston Root will be here from 10-4, he will give two tours during the day - the tours will also include a brief history of Coca-Cola. Preston will also be bringing a limited supply of authentic CocaCola merchandise and collectibles to giveaway. In the evening, Senior Curator of History, Zach Zacharias will provide an informational history tour of the CocaCola Collection within the Root Family Museum. Free for members or with paid museum admission.

SCHEDULE

11:00am: Tour of the Root Family Museum with Preston Root

1:00pm: Tour of the Root Family Museum with Preston Root

2:00pm-6:00pm: View additional Coca-Cola memorabilia from the archives including a bottle inspection station, advertisements, and more!

6:00pm: Tour of the Root Family Museum with Senior Curator of Education and History, Zach Zacharias

Wednesday, May 10 3:00pm-4:00pm

Talk and Walk | Cuban Gallery with Cuban Docent, Juan Junco

The Cuban Art Gallery is the largest and most significant Cuban art gallery outside of the Island of Cuba. Join Cuban Docent, Juan Junco at the Museum of Arts & Sciences to learn about the history of the Cuban art collection and the cultural significance of the many portraits, landscapes, and history of the island. Free for members or with paid admission.

Saturday, May 13

7:00pm-10:00pm

Second Saturday Laser Rock Concerts

Rock-out monthly during one of the Museum's Second Saturday Laser Rock Concerts in the Lohman Planetarium.

7:00pm: Hynotica

8:00pm: Laser Metallica

9:00pm: Pink Floyd - The Wall

Seating is limited. Advanced purchase of tickets is recommended by calling the Museum at 386-255-0285 or at MOAS.org.

$4.00 per show for members, $5.00 per show for non-members.

Thursday, May 18

2:00pm-3:30pm

Florida Vistas Book Club: A Man Called Horse: John Horse and the Black Seminole Underground Railroad

Join us for our next Florida history book club meeting at the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art where we will be discussing A Man Called Horse: John Horse and the Black Seminole Underground Railroad by Glennette Turner. John Horse was a famed chief, warrior, tactician, and diplomat who played a dominant role in Black Seminole affairs for half a century. A political and military leader of mixed Seminole and African heritage, Horse defended his people from the U.S. government, other tribes, and slave hunters by serving as a counselor of fellow Seminole leaders, an agent of the U.S. government, and a captain in the Mexican army. RSVP by calling the Museum at 386-255-0285 or register online.

Free for members, $5.00 for future members.

Friday, May 19

10:00am-5:00pm

Member-Only Exhibition Preview for Unfolding the Universe

A member-only preview of the new exhibition

Unfolding the Universe: The James Webb Space Telescope. We are peering deeper into the universe than ever before with NASA's newest space-based observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope. As the successor and complement, to the famed Hubble Space Telescope, Webb sees in infrared light and has already provided tremendous insights into the mysteries of the universe. On display is a collection of some of the most mesmerizing imagery captured by Webb so far as we highlight stars, planets in and out of our Solar System, star-forming nebulae, massive galaxies, and some of the most distant objects ever observed. There are an assortment of 3D printed displays throughout the gallery, exploring the innovative technology of Webb and providing a unique perspective of various celestial objects featured in the imagery.

Free for members only.

Saturday, May 20

2:00pm-3:00pm

Cosmic Talk & Walk | Unfolding the Universe: The James Webb Space Telescope

Join us at the Museum of Arts & Sciences to take a cosmic stroll with our Curator of Astronomy, Seth Mayo, as he discusses the mesmerizing imagery captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in our latest exhibition, Unfolding the Universe. You will find gorgeous vistas of star-forming nebulae, exotic planets beyond our Solar System, massive galaxies, and some of the deepest objects ever observed in infrared light. Seth will highlight the engineering innovations needed to build and launch this great observatory in space and explain how the images help us shape our understanding of the universe.

Free for members or with paid museum admission.

Saturday, May 20

3:00pm-4:00pm

An Afternoon with Florida History: Truly Off the Beaten Path in Northeast Florida

Join Senior Curator of Education and History, Zach Zacharias, in the Root Family Auditorium for an entertaining talk that features many of the famously peculiar people found in its Florida's history and their crazy ideas and plots to make a fortune! Learn about Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew Prince Achille Murat as he made Florida his permanent home after he was exiled from France; crazy cracker cowboy Bone Mizell; soldier of fortune William Augustus Bowles; Denys Rolle of Rolles Town and many more!

Free for members or with paid museum admission.

Monday, May 23 5:30pm-7:30pm

MOAS After Hours: In Partnership with The Locals Mix

Join us at the Museum of Arts & Sciences for exclusive after-hours access to all galleries, happy hour drink specials with Fun Coast Bartending, live music, food truck, and fun for the whole family! At 6:15pm take a tour of the new Unfolding the Universe: The James Webb Space Telescope exhibition with MOAS Curator of Science, Seth Mayo. Free for members, $5.00 for non-members.

Tuesday, May 24

12:00pm-1:30pm

Lunch and Learn: Curator's Choice Landscapes at MOAS

Join Senior Curator of History, Zach Zacharias along with Master Landscape Painter Arnold Desmarais, and Head Docent Marion Whelton for a tour of the MOAS landscapes from Cuba, Europe, America and beyond. The Museum has a magnificent collection of landscapes from famous artists such as Asher B. Durand, George Inness, George Loring Brown, Antonio Rodriguez Morey, Enrique J. Crucet, and more. Space is limited and advanced RSVP and paid lunch are required. Purchase admission online at MOAS.org or by calling the Museum at 386-255-0285.

Member Admission: Lecture is free plus $10.00 boxed lunch. Future Member Admission: Lecture is $10.00 plus $10.00 boxed lunch.

Wednesday, May 25 3:00pm-4:00pm

Cosmic Talk & Walk | Unfolding the Universe: The James Webb Space Telescope

Join us at the Museum of Arts & Sciences to take a cosmic stroll with our Curator of Astronomy, Seth Mayo, as he discusses the mesmerizing imagery captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in our latest exhibition, Unfolding the Universe. You will find gorgeous vistas of star-forming nebulae, exotic planets beyond our Solar System, massive galaxies, and some of the deepest objects ever observed in infrared light. Seth will highlight the engineering innovations needed to build and launch this great observatory in space and explain how the images help us shape our understanding of the universe. Free for members or with paid museum admission.

Thursday, May 26

5:30pm-10:30pm

MOAS Astronomy Night at the Ballpark

Join the Museum of Arts & Sciences for a special night at the Jackie Robinson Ballpark! Be sure to be one of the first 1000 fans at the ballpark to receive a free Astronomy Night t-shirt! Gates open at 5:30pm and the Tortugas will take on the Lakeland Flying Tigers at 6:35pm. Following the game, there will be a special live night sky tour with MOAS Curator of Astronomy, Seth Mayo where we will be looking at our Daytona sky. Check out https://www.milb.com/ daytona to purchase tickets.

June

Thursday, June 8 3:00pm-4:00pm

Cosmic Talk & Walk | Unfolding the Universe: The James Webb Space Telescope

Join us at the Museum of Arts & Sciences to take a cosmic stroll with our Curator of Astronomy, Seth Mayo, as he discusses the mesmerizing imagery captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in our latest exhibition, Unfolding the Universe. You will find gorgeous vistas of star-forming nebulae, exotic planets beyond our Solar System, massive galaxies, and some of the deepest objects ever observed in infrared light. Seth will highlight the engineering innovations needed to build and launch this great observatory in space and explain how the images help us shape our understanding of the universe. Free for members or with paid museum admission.

Thursday, June 8

5:30pm-7:00pm

Roses and Rose'

Join us in the Courtyard at the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art for a creative and interactive Cocktails & Creations class with Ashlee Roberson, Owner of Simply Roses Florist. Admission includes all supplies and florals to create a beautiful arrangement to bring home with you, plus a complimentary glass of Rose'! Seating is limited. A bar will be available serving beer, wine and sodas for purchase. Purchase admission online at MOAS.org or by calling the Museum at 386255-0285.

$35.00 for members, $40.00 for future members.

Saturday, June 10

7:00pm-10:00pm

Second Saturday Laser Rock Concerts

Rock-out monthly during one of the Museum's Second Saturday Laser Rock Concerts in the Lohman Planetarium.

7:00pm: Electrolaze

8:00pm: Rush 2112

9:00pm: Laser Queen

Seating is limited. Advanced purchase of tickets is recommended by calling the Museum at 386-255-0285 or at MOAS.org.

$4.00 per show for members, $5.00 per show for non-members.

Thursday, June 15

2:00pm-3:30pm

Florida Vistas Book Club: The Book Lover's Guide to Florida

Join us for our next Florida history book club meeting at the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art where we will be discussing The Book Lover's Guide to Florida. The Book Lover's Guide to Florida is an exhaustive survey of writers, books, and literary sites. Use the book as a travel guide or a reading guide. It also includes essays on topics such as Florida poetry, literary magazines, and mysteries. RSVP by calling the Museum at 386255-0285 or register online at MOAS.org. Free for members, $5.00 for future members.

Friday, June 16

6:00pm-9:00pm

Movie Night in the Lohman Planetarium:

Loving Vincent

Join us in the Lohman Planetarium for an extraordinary movie night featuring Loving Vincent, a film about the life of artist Vincent van Gogh and his final days. This is the first film composed entirely of oil paintings, 65,000 of them, created by 125 artists from around the world, taking ten years to complete. Included with this event is a special presentation on the works of van Gogh before the film that is not to be missed.

SCHEDULE:

6:00pm - A special presentation on van Gogh

7:00pm - Loving Vincent

This film will be displayed in 16:9 aspect ratio on the Planetarium dome. Popcorn and snacks will be available at the concession stand. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the event start time. Advanced purchase of tickets is recommended. Purchase admission online or by calling the Museum at 386-255-0285 to purchase and reserve your seat.

$10.00 for members, $12.00 for non-members.

Saturday, June 17

2:00pm-3:00pm

Cosmic Talk & Walk | Unfolding the Universe: The James Webb Space Telescope

Join us at the Museum of Arts & Sciences to take a cosmic stroll with our Curator of Astronomy, Seth Mayo, as he discusses the mesmerizing imagery captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in our latest exhibition, Unfolding the Universe. You will find gorgeous vistas of star-forming nebulae, exotic planets beyond our Solar System, massive galaxies, and some of the deepest objects ever observed in infrared light. Seth will highlight the engineering innovations needed to build and launch this great observatory in space and explain how the images help us shape our understanding of the universe.

Free for members or with paid museum admission.

Saturday, June 17 3:00pm-4:00pm

An Afternoon with Florida History

Join us in the Root Family Auditorium for an afternoon with Florida history. Free for members or with paid museum admission.

U-Boats, Saboteurs, and Orange Groves: Florida in World War II with Ryan Lowery Florida's role in World War II was far more consequential to the safety of the United States than many realize. Once the war broke out, Germany was probing America's doorstep with submarines and saboteurs. At the time, Florida was the largest state surrounded by water and America increased its defense by creating airbases and naval bases to combat enemy intrusion. Pensacola grew to be a major military center for training men for the conflict overseas and pilots would learn how to operate aircraft for service in the Pacific and Europe. The state also became a haven for German Prisoners of War from North Africa and a scene for sinking Merchant vessels bound for England. Learn how Florida was necessary in the defense of the mainland United States against Nazi tyranny and how it would help win the largest war in history.

The French Connection with Zach Zacharias

The French had a long connection to Florida dating back to 1563 with their colony of Fort Caroline. Campbell Town, Napoleon’s nephew, French aid during the American Revolutionary War, pirates, John James Audubon, merci trains and more are discussed in this presentation about the French influence in Florida over the last 500 years. Join J. Zach Zacharias for this little-known history of Florida.

SPRING PROGRAMS

Wednesday, June 21 12:00pm-1:30pm

Lunch and Learn: Unfolding the Universe with the James Webb Space Telescope

Join Curator of Astronomy Seth Mayo for lunch and a tour of the amazing images produced by the James Webb Telescope. James Webb Telescope is a space telescope that conducts infrared astronomy. As the largest optical telescope in space, its high resolution and sensitivity allow it to view objects too old, distant, or faint for the Hubble Space Telescope. Join Seth Mayo after lunch for a walk and talk in the gallery of the James Webb images. Space is limited and advanced RSVP and paid lunch are required. Register online at MOAS.org or by calling the Museum at 386-2550285.

Member Admission: Lecture is free plus $10.00 boxed lunch. Future Member Admission: Lecture is $10.00 plus $10.00 boxed lunch.

Friday, June 23 6:30pm-8:30pm

Bonkerz Comedy Night

Join us in the Root Family Auditorium at MOAS for a fun night with Bonkerz Comedy Club featuring Nathan Wallace as seen on LMAO and The Lowdown. Nathan Wallace comes fully armed with a wide smile and a wealth of material. Nathan interacts with the audience, shares off-the-cuff insights, and welcomes everyone into his world with plenty of honest energy. Doors open at 6:00pm. This comedy show is recommended for those ages 18 and older. Seating is limited and advanced RSVP is strongly encouraged by visiting MOAS.org or by calling the Museum at 386-255-0285. $10.00 for members, $12.00 for non-members.

Saturday, June 24

7:00pm-10:00pm

Summer Saturday Laser Rock Concerts

Rock-out monthly during one of the Museum's extra Summer Saturday Laser Rock Concerts in the Lohman Planetarium.

7:00pm: Laser Vinyl

8:00pm: Laser Zeppelin

9:00pm: Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon Seating is limited. Advanced purchase of tickets is recommended by calling the Museum at 386-255-0285 or at MOAS.org. $4.00 per show for members, $5.00 per show for non-members.

Friday, June 30

6:30pm-8:00pm

Night of Jazz at the Museum with Cody McCafferty: The Planets

Join us in the Root Family Auditorium at MOAS for an evening presentation by the Cody McCafferty Quartet. Premiered in 1918, English composer Gustav Holst's orchestral work "The Planets" was a 7-part suite that corresponded to each planet respectively. Flash forward to 2023, where the Cody McCafferty Jazz Orchestra, a 17-piece ensemble made up of some of the best talent in Florida will be performing a fresh take on the original work. During the evening, between each planet's sounds, MOAS Curator of Science, Seth Mayo will put an illuminative light into some facts/ history behind them. Whether you are a music, science or astronomy lover, you won't want to miss the spectacle of the evening! Doors and bar open at 6:00pm. Seating is limited and advanced registration is recommended by visiting MOAS.org or by calling 386-255-0285. $25.00 for members, $30.00 for non-members.

Spring into the Next Season!

Spring is here and the Guild is busy planning several activities for our members and friends.

A BIG thank you to Carol Ann Laroza for presenting a wonderful luncheon and fashion show in February. Peppers Boutique provided beautiful fashions for the show and several members purchased clothing the day of the event. The ladies in attendance took chances on the baskets and won beautiful items to take home. And we also had one happy person enjoying her winnings from our 50/50 raffle. Thank you to everyone who helped support this luncheon.

Do not forget to purchase tickets for our Annual Garden Party Luncheon on Tuesday, April 11th which will be held in the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum. Please see our flyer for more information in this issue. Also, check out the Guild webpage on www.moas.org.

All our fundraising profits go directly to the Museum so when you help support our events you are also helping our museum.

Enjoy a beautiful spring in sunny Florida.

Diane Rogers, President 386-871-8177

October

November 4, 2023

November 5, 2023

ASTRONOMY

AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON SCHREINER

Chile: the premier destination for modern astrophysics. Situated in the Andes Mountains and the Atacama Desert of South America, the unique geography provides some of the calmest and driest air in the world, ideal for peering through Earth’s atmosphere into the very deepest regions of space.

Chosen through a highly competitive selection process, MOAS Planetarium Coordinator, Jason Schreiner, was named to join the 2020 cohort of ACEAP Ambassadors. ACEAP (Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program) consists of an exclusive group of astronomers and educators. Learning about some of the best telescopes and observatories in the world, the “astro ambassadors” are tasked with sharing the knowledge gained once they return home from Chile, as well as being part of a cultural exchange.

Through a once-in-a-lifetime trip, the author was able to get a first-hand look at cutting-edge astronomy at the edge of the world.

Day 1

After global events delayed the 2020 cohort, we were finally able to embark in December 2022. With ambassadors coming from all across the United States, my trip started with a full day of travel from Orlando, through Panama City, and all of us landing in Santiago, Chile. Founded in 1541 by Spanish conquistadors, but inhabited by indigenous people since 10,000 BC, Santiago sits between the Andes, the longest mountain range in the world, on the east and the fertile vineyards towards the Pacific Ocean on the west. It would serve as our base of operations for the trip and an ideal first stop to prepare and ease into the physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting journey ahead. While the entire expedition was sure to be special, the true prize would be a visit to the ALMA Observatory. Perched at an altitude of 16,500 feet, it embodies the height of astronomy in more ways than one.

Heading straight to such an altitude would be a foolhardy and potentially a fatal decision.

Acclimatizing to high altitude, limited oxygen, and extreme dryness is serious business for anyone, but especially for someone living in the high humidity and oxygen-rich atmosphere at sea level in Florida. By the end of the trip, I would be facing an altitude where the atmosphere only contains about 50% of the oxygen compared to that at sea level. Over the course of a week, a series of flights would be needed, to traverse the hundreds of miles between observatories, as well as allow for acclimatization to the ever-higher elevations.

Day 2

Walking through the modern streets of Santiago, any American would feel at home. The striking difference, though, is the way that the Chileans blend their architecture into the landscape. With trees lining every street, the result is a city that stays cooler in the intense sunlight and is literally greener. My fellow ambassadors and I decided to take in the view from the Gran Torre Santiago. At 62 stories, the Great Santiago Tower’s Sky

Costanera observation deck, one thousand feet above Santiago’s 1,870 ft. elevation, offered dazzling views of Chile’s capital city, home to 8 million people and 40% of its population. The skyscraper is the tallest building in South America.

Day 3

We took in presentations at the AUI (Associated Universities, Inc.) offices by Sonia Duffau, Outreach and Diversity Manager, with an emphasis on the importance of connecting real science with the public. AUI's major current operating unit is the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), which it administers with the National Science Foundation. Overnight, Chile greeted us with an earthquake. Sitting on the fast-moving Nazca tectonic plate, the country is home to frequent quakes and the strongest ever on modern record. Chileans barely take notice of anything below a 6.0 on the Richter scale.

Day 4

A flight back to sea level for one brief day in La Serena, a rapidly growing beach town and the second oldest city in Chile. Here, we were welcomed into a “touristic” observatory, a familyowned vineyard that decided to take advantage of their pristine skies.

Day 5

Time to get serious. Departing the Pacific coast, we drove inland for hours and into the mountains at an elevation of about 8,000 ft. Here we met Juan Seguel, Science Education Specialist at NOIRLab (National OpticalInfrared Astronomy Research Laboratory) and our first-rate tour guide for the next few days. Juan, like all of our hosts, proved himself an excellent ambassador for his people. Intelligent, highly capable, friendly, and welcoming, Chileans are proud of their history and culture, and now their scientific capabilities and beautiful country. Our first stop was the 26.6 ft. diameter Gemini South Telescope, whose twin, the Gemini North Telescope, lives in Hawaii. The pair are able to cover both the northern and southern hemisphere skies and are among the best optical telescopes in the world. Additional tours included the Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope (SOAR) and the currently-under-construction Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which will map small asteroids in our solar system, our greater Milky Way galaxy, and study dark matter and dark energy, starting in 2024. Staying late into the night, I was awed to watch the 2-hour-long sunset across the curvature of the Earth and capture an astrophotograph of 47-Tucanae, a globular cluster of a million ancient stars, 15,000 light years away.

Day 6

We transferred to a neighboring mountain peak for a tour of the facilities at CTIO (Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory), including the massive Victor M. Blanco Telescope and SMART, a time capsule of a telescope, operational since 1965. After an increasingly grueling pace (I averaged 3 hours of sleep per night for the whole trip) and starting to feel the effects of altitude sickness, physical and mental issues began to manifest in our group. Some felt dizzy, exhibited strong coughs, or felt sluggish, tired, and uncoordinated. I experienced strong pins and needles in my fingers each morning. Determined to make the most of my journey, I opted to fight sleep and stay awake for a second night of observing the jetblack skies and capture images of the Sculptor Galaxy (a starburst galaxy with intense star formation), the Andromeda Galaxy (our next door neighbor galaxy with 1 trillion stars) and the Orion Nebula, a colorful stellar nursery. “Stunning” is an overused term these days, but it certainly fits the skies of Chile. They would often stop me in place as I gawked at the inky blackness, filled with countless individual stars, star clusters, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, and even the Andromeda Galaxy, all visible to the naked eye.

Day 7

Travel day. With limited flight options out of La Serena, we were forced to city-hop back to Santiago in the south, before transferring to Calama, far to the north, and one of the driest cities in the world, on the outskirts of the Atacama Desert. Driving for hours up the desolate mountain roads in our 4-wheel-drive pickup trucks, we reached our destination nearly at midnight, the ALMA OSF (Operations Support Facility). Sitting at an altitude of 10,000 ft, the OSF serves as the living quarters, laboratory, workshop, control center, and operations offices for ALMA staff. This initial site is in the “safe zone,” still harsh, but separate from the radio telescopes at the high site in a dangerous elevation. Unfortunately, with all of our traveling, luggage for half of our group did not make it onto our last plane. Uh oh. We’re facing one of the harshest mountain environments on Earth soon, and my jacket is in another city. With only the clothes on my back and my cameras, I settled in for a fitful sleep in my thankfully immaculate ALMA dormitory. A hygrometer in my room displayed 17% humidity. Of course, outside would be even dryer.

Day 8

Today, we went on tours of the ALMA facilities with Danilo Vidal, Public Relations Officer and expert mountaineer, starting with a presentation by Dr. Sean Dougherty, director of ALMA. Dr. Dougherty graciously gave us his time to explain ALMA operations and what makes this location special for radio astronomy. Thankfully, our luggage arrived by courier during the day, and just in time. Tomorrow is the big day - the ALMA Observatory High Site.

Day 9

The ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter Array) Observatory is the crown jewel of the ACEAP adventure. Stationed at 16,500 ft (an altitude just below Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal), the ALMA High Site is inaccessible to the public; very few guests are invited to the summit. After a medical check in the morning for pulse rate, blood oxygen saturation, and blood pressure, we equipped our oxygen tanks and proceeded up the mountain to some of the most advanced and remote technology on Earth. Not everyone makes it though. Sadly, three fellow ambassadors were unable to pass the checkup and had to stay behind. Ascending from 10,000 ft to 16,500 ft in less than an hour, the terrain rapidly changes as vegetation becomes sparse and then suddenly disappears. Here, plants are unable to grow and just a few brave birds let their curiosity lure them to this dangerous place for a quick look, though I didn’t see a single one. Only red rocks and dust remain in this barren, alien landscape, above much of the Earth’s atmosphere. It’s like being transported to Mars. The very obvious difference, though, is the purest, bluest sky you can imagine, undiluted by the water vapor which whitens the sky, like here at sea level.

The largest astronomical project on Earth, ALMA is also the most expensive ground-based observatory, carrying a price tag of over $1.4 billion. Able to operate 24 hours a day, the 66 radio-wave detecting antenna dishes act as an astronomical interferometer, that is, in concert, collecting information from the deepest reaches of space on galactic interactions, comet molecules, planetary formation and atmospheres, and black holes. Working together, the telescopes can achieve the same resolution as one, giant-sized telescope, with a fraction of the drawbacks. Revered by the indigenous people of Chile (and highly respected by ALMA staff as well), the high site is one of the truly magical places on Earth. Temperatures in the 30s and intense solar radiation create a strange sensation of hot and cold at the same time. There’s no sound, save for the wind, and it’s so dry, you can almost feel the water evaporating from your body in real-time. For picture taking purposes, I kept one gloved hand and one bare hand. After an hour, the ungloved hand looked like it had aged decades. For health concerns, a quick, one-hour tour was all that was permitted. It was enough time, though, to view the computer operations building (the highest-constructed building in the world), the telescopes themselves, and take a few moments for quiet reflection. Returning to base camp, I experienced a feeling of euphoria and physical strength, partly from the excitement and partly from the increased oxygen at the “lower” altitude.

Day 10

With the pressure of ALMA off of our shoulders, it was time to relax. After spending the night in San Pedro de Atacama, the day called for a leisurely breakfast, window shopping, and an excursion to Los Flamencos National Reserve to view the third largest salt flat in the world and the flamingos that reside in that extremely harsh environment.

Day 11

Time to leave the high desert. Good thing, too, because I wouldn’t have lasted much longer. No matter how much water I drank, it was a losing battle. My hands were cracking and there was blood in my sinuses. We convoyed back to Calama, seeing this stretch of terrain in daylight for the first time, then flew back down to Santiago.

Day 12

Last official day of the ACEAP trip. After a morning meeting of the ambassadors to discuss our experiences, we had one final presentation by Dr. Luis Chavarria, Chile’s representative for the European Southern Observatory (ESO). After some emotional and tearful goodbyes (you become fast friends with people after spending 20 hours per day together for nearly two weeks), we departed one by one to the airport, heading back to our various home cities in the United States on our respective flights.

Day 13

It was time to catch my morning flight and return home. I watched the spectacular Chilean landscape fade into the distance, crossed the equator, counted ships waiting at the Panama Canal, and touched down in Orlando. Feeling dead-tired but maybe happier than I’ve ever been and with memories to last a lifetime, my adventure had come to a close. I’d seen things and visited places that very few people on Earth had and I’m eternally grateful to the ACEAP program for selecting me. I’m already plotting my return to Chile.

Want to go with me?

BY THE NUMBERS

Want to see more? Check out MOAS social media for additional pictures and videos, join us on Space Day (April 8th, 2023) for a live presentation, and on April 29th, 2023 for a special premier of Big Astronomy.

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