Moon Over Merrimack

An Evening of Space, Astronomy and Fun for the Whole Family

When: October 23, 2024, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts

Moon Over Merrimack is a free family-friendly astronomy festival where kids can explore all things space-related. Now in its seventh year, the event allows kids of all ages to look through telescopes, visit with scientists, explore the Mendel Observatory and participate in more than 80 activities. At the end, everyone gathers for space-related prizes and a Moon Over Merrimack cake.

Interested in coming? This year’s event has now passed, but we’ll be back in 2025 for another evening of fun for the whole family!

Learn More About This Year's Event and Activity Stations

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be plenty of parking and volunteers to direct you where to go. New for this year’s event, we’ll have a dedicated quiet space for families. In addition to our end-of-event celebration for big kids at 7:30 p.m., this year we will also hold a separate celebration for younger children at 6:30 p.m. with their own special prizes and treats. Below are just a few of the space-related activities for kids.

All Ages

Build our own rocket
Rocket launch and reentry
Make space bracelets
Visit the scientists and learn what’s hot in space right now
Look through telescopes
Visit the Mendel Observatory
See a car that was converted from gas to electric

Younger Kids

Visit craters on the moon with your bot
Get your picture taken in a rocket
Find stars and planets in moon sand
Measure the space between planets
Make your own Mickey Mouse moon craters
Code your bot to find Mickey Mouse on the moon
Guess the moon phase
Space yoga
Space reading nook

Older Kids

Find your birthday moon
Design your own constellation
Space Jump – How high could you jump on the moon? What about Mars?
Test your astronaut aptitude
Design an alien
Design an origami solar sail based on NASA designs
Navigate the Mars Map with bots
Sleep and space … Starry Nightlight
Sweet solar system cookie decorating
Take Some Space for Yourself
Create an outer space bead bracelet

Club-Sponsored Stations

National Society of Black Engineers, Merrimack College Jewish Association (MCJA), Neuroscience Club, Black Student Association (BSA), Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society, Psychology Club, and more.

Discover the night sky

North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club (NSAAC)

NSAAC meets on the first Friday of the month (except for July) at 10 Elm Street in Boxford, MA 01921. Meetings begin at 7:30 pm with a very short business meeting, then an entertaining presentation on a subject of general interest to the amateur astronomy community begins around 8:00 pm.

Meetings are fun and informative, and you don’t need any special equipment or knowledge to have a great time. If you have a telescope we can arrange to help you learn how to use it. If you are thinking of getting one, we can help with that, too!

Mendel Observatory at Merrimack College

The observatory is used by students, faculty, the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club and the general public.

Location: 4th floor, Laurence J. and Roberta M. Palmisano Hall at Merrimack College

Public Access: Every clear Wednesday evening. Advance registration is required.

Merrimack Community Access: Weeknights, weather permitting.

Research Group: Merrimack College Astronomical Research Group

Meet the Scientists Participating in This Year's Event

Piyush Khopkar has been a space exploration enthusiast from an early age. He holds a degree in Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He has been an active member of local astronomy clubs and has organized events for night sky gazing and eclipse watching. Apart from this, he has given many talks and presentations on NASA missions.

Piyush Khopkar, M.S.

Solar System Ambassador, NASA Science

Professor Duston is a faculty member in the physics department, and is the director of the Mendel Observatory. His research interests include Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, as well as the lifecycle and evolution of stars. He works with undergraduate students to perform observations of supernovae, variable stars, active galaxies, and asteroids.

Christopher Duston, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Physics, School of Arts and Sciences, Merrimack College

Crewmembers aboard the International Space Station have poor sleep quality in part because they experience a new sunrise and sunset every 90 minutes as they continuously orbit Earth. At this station, you will learn about research that scientists are conducting to improve sleep and alertness aboard the ISS using light. Come interact with a prototype Solid-State Lighting Assembly like the ones that are installed on the ISS, and learn how different light settings can improve alertness during mission-critical tasks or improve the ability to fall asleep at bedtime. This research is important not only for crewmembers up in space but also for all of us on Earth!

Melissa St. Hilaire, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Data Sciences

Professor Baldock's laboratory research with graduate and undergraduate students focuses on investigating the reactions between nanoparticles and biomolecules such as DNA and cellular biomarkers. One instrument used to study these materials is a spectrometer, which collects light transmitted through or emitted from a sample, separates it into its component colors, and measures it.

Brandi L. Baldock, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry & Director, Master of Science in Applied Chemistry

Shelley Rosenbaum Lipman is currently a Human-Factors Engineer for the US Air Force. She is well aware of the contributions that NASA has made in this field. She taught astronomy and physics at Seton Hall University, and has been an Aerospace Education Officer in the Civil Air Patrol for over 20 years, teaching STEM to CAP cadets and adult members as well as to elementary and middle-school students, scout troops, and the public (at a local National Park Service "Night Sky" program for families to observe night sky). Shelley's STEM interests are extensive: astronomy, physics, geology, advanced math, biology. Shelley is a pilot/flight instructor and realizes that many youth are excited by flight. She leverages this to explain the science and math behind flight as a way of getting more youth interested in pursuing STEM careers.

Shelley Rosenbaum Lipman

Solar System Ambassador, NASA Science

David S. Ball is a retired Air Force officer and health care professional. He has been fascinated by space exploration since watching the Apollo astronauts walk on the surface of the Moon a half-century ago. His primary way of educating the public is as an Astro Philatelist, a stamp collector who exhibits envelopes that chronicle the intersection of space and postal history. He is an author of a book on American Astrophilately, which was nominated for a national book award with the American Astronomical Society.

David S. Ball

Solar System Ambassador, NASA Science

Jim Zebrowski is president of the President Aldrich Astronomical Society. For Moon Over Merrimack, he will present displays of astrophotography, 3D Viewmasters with images of the solar system, and meteorites.

Jim Zebrowski

Geologist, President Aldrich Astronomical Society, Inc. NASA/JPL Solar Ambassador for Massachusetts

Professor Caldwell's research conducts research in many areas, including nonlinear dynamics, inverse problems in dynamics & vibration, thermal systems, and engineering student success. He will be sharing two robots called Spot and Pepper. Boston Dynamics created spot, and Pepper was created by Aldebaran.

Rickey Caldwell

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Chair - Department of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering

Professor Kimberley's research group studies how materials respond to impact and blast loadings. Areas of application range from protection materials for soldiers to understanding impact cratering on the moon. Attendees will have the opportunity to hold meteorite samples, investigate their unique microstructure, and learn how the mechanical properties affect impact cratering and asteroid breakup.

Jamie Kimberley, Ph.D.

Professor, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering

What's New at Merrimack

Mack Force to Provide Enhanced Support, Access for Merrimack College Community

January 10, 2025 |

By: Joseph O'Connell

The Mack Force will serve as the go-to virtual resource for any questions, comments or concerns members of the Merrimack community may have.

Photo of two paintings and two sculptures on view at the Science Fact x Science Fiction art exhibit.

Merrimack Students' Art Exhibit Explores Scientific Fact, Fiction

January 9, 2025 |

By: Michael Cronin

Science Fact x Science Fiction, the latest student art exhibit on display in the McCoy Gallery, features pieces in various mediums from 17 Merrimack students.

Merrimack College Unveils New Academic Building

January 7, 2025 |

By: Joseph O'Connell

The two-story, 19,205-square-foot facility will be built on the green space next to Sullivan Hall and feature five lecture halls.

An Evening of Space, Astronomy and Fun for the Whole Family

Sponsored by Mass STEM Week and cohosted by the Merrimack College School of Arts & Sciences, School of Engineering & Computational Sciences and School of Education and Social Policy.

Learn More About This Year's Event and Activity Stations

All Ages

Younger Kids

Older Kids

Club-Sponsored Stations

Discover the night sky

North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club (NSAAC)

Mendel Observatory at Merrimack College

Meet the Scientists Participating in This Year's Event

What's New at Merrimack

Mack Force to Provide Enhanced Support, Access for Merrimack College Community

Merrimack Students' Art Exhibit Explores Scientific Fact, Fiction

Merrimack College Unveils New Academic Building

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