The Wallace Astrophysical Observatory is a teaching and research facility run by MIT Department of EAPS. Fan of stars. Not a fan of Starlink.

Westford, MA
Given where this platform seems to be heading and the indifference of its owner to the destruction of the night sky, likely our last post here. Hope you enjoyed the eclipse, if not, we recorded it for you. #gooutsideandlookup web.mit.edu/wallace piped.video/5JoyF2v1yHc
Wallace Observatory retweeted
I’ve known Jessica for longer than either of us probably care to admit (ok: more than 40 years, when we both worked in Jim Elliot’s group at MIT) and have always admired her - great to see this interview!
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Another milestone at Wallace this week - our 51yo dome is now solar powered! It also knows to close the dome if there's bad weather. Finn approves! #greenobservatory #solarpowered #thisoldobservatory
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The Wallace 24" telescope is ready for the semester! This summer @MIT summer UROPs helped to refurbish much of the observatory. Note the color-coordinated refractors! #thingsarelookingup @eapsMIT #telescope #astronomy
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Wallace Observatory retweeted
Discover @eapsMIT (DEAPS) program 2022 off to great start with newly arrived @MIT class of 2026 students observing weather phenomena in a rotating fluid tank, followed by a visit to @MIT_WallaceObs to explore astronomy. More this weekend with a meteorology & geology trip in NH!
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Solar LIVE stream at Wallace Observatory right now! piped.video/yZ-qXVDuNoU
Good news dark-sky friends - MA legislation H.3306 "dark sky bill", was granted an extension today - the fight for the night continues! If it passes, it will save energy and preserve our night sky. #IDSW
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The Sun live stream is up right now, check it out! 🔥🌞piped.video/n2yVrAuMCoo #mit @eapsMIT
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Big news! The Dark Sky bill was advanced by the MA legislature, S.2147. Let's keep pushing this forward, we don't have stars to lose! @IDA_Mass @IDADarkSky #mapoli malegislature.gov/Bills/192/…
Wallace Observatory retweeted
Radio ground stations are straightforward: antennas. But what about optical communication ground stations? They are telescopes! That's right: telescopes! And we are getting one ready at @MIT_WallaceObs for CLICK, our #lasercomm CubeSat! Stay tuned!
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So exciting to have our students back in person! #thingsarelookingup @eapsMIT #MIT @MIT
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Wallace Observatory retweeted
New research shows that #lightpollution has increased by at least 49% over 25 years globally. This figure only accounts for light visible via satellites. So, the true increase may be much higher – up to 270% globally, & 400% in some regions. Learn more: exeter.ac.uk/news/research/t…
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Oh look - a petition to preserve our night sky in MA - let's help them get to 2000 signatures! change.org/p/we-support-the-…
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If you’ve lost the Milky Way, or you’re even approaching that point, that means there’s a fair amount of light pollution in your environment. Here's a solution: malegislature.gov/Bills/192/… #savetheMilkyWay @IDADarkSky #lightpollution #ALAN #darkskies bostonglobe.com/2021/08/22/m…
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Starts today!
Register for the virtual Satellite Constellations 2 workshop taking place 12-16 July 2021. The workshop will focus on how to implement the strategies and recommendations from SATCON1 to minimize the impacts of satellite constellations on astronomy. noirlab.edu/satcon2/
Almost 30 years later, WAO is still making the same argument about #LightPollution and its effect on optical observations: 1) only where needed, 2) only how much is needed, 3) shielding, 4) point downward 5) timers @JohnBarentine @hbhammel @MITHaystack #ALAN @IDA_Mass @MITLL
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