Next Super Stellar Friday - Friday, October 3rd, 2025
Presentation Description: Hundreds of New England ships crossed the globe hunting whales in the barbarous "whale fishery" in the 19th century. They were guided by the best science of the era, using exact models of the Moon's motion and the Sun's declination to sail tens of thousands of miles. Astronomy in New England thrived with the whaling industry, and that legacy continues even in Silicon Valley today. Join us for a fascinating exploration of the connection between whaling and astronomy with a true master of the stars.
Special Guest Speaker Description: Frank Reed is one of the world’s foremost authorities on celestial navigation, combining a background in astrophysics with deep expertise in both historical methods and modern technology. He teaches navigation workshops through ReedNavigation and at the Mystic Seaport Museum, covering everything from sextants to satellite-based systems.
Frank served as the celestial navigation expert for Endurance22, the 2022 expedition that discovered Ernest Shackleton’s lost ship Endurance beneath Antarctic ice. His contribution was featured in the January 2025 issue of National Geographic.
A sought-after speaker, Frank recently appeared on StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson (S4E10), where he shared the studio with Dava Sobel, author of Longitude. He’s also known for his unparalleled knowledge of lunars, the rare and complex method of determining time at sea by observing the Moon’s distance from stars.
Please Note:
Ticket costs include admission to the presentation, exhibit galleries, and a planetarium show. Tickets for this event can be purchased at the front desk on the night or before the event online.
Schedule:
6:30 pm: Discovery Center opens, exhibit galleries available for exploration
7:00 pm: Speaker Presentation
8:00 pm: Planetarium Show
9:00 pm: Sky Viewing (weather permitting)/Ask the Astronomer with New Hampshire Astronomical Society (No ticket required to access)
Ticket Pricing:
Adult: $13.00
Child (3-12): $10.00
Senior (62+): $12.00
Students (13-college): $12.00
EBT/SNAP/WIC Card Holders + Up To 5 Guests: $3.00 (Use code “4ALLSSF” at checkout!)
Members and Child Under 2: Free!
Recommended for all ages.
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