Northeast Kingdom Astronomy Foundation

05/10/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium for NASA's International Observe the Moon Night. It is such a joy to see someone look through a telescope for the first time, and multiple people got their first up close look at our Moon and also Jupiter last night. NKAF board members were thrilled to bring their telescopes to the museum yard.

18/08/2025

Thaddeus Loder Wins Magnus-Wanzer Award
Thaddeus Loder, a graduating senior at St. Johnsbury Academy, was the inaugural recipient of
the Magnus-Wanzer Award for Science, sponsored by the Northeast Kingdom Astronomy
Foundation (NKAF) of Peacham.
The Magnus-Wanzer Award was established in memory of David Magnus and Sydney Wanzer,
co-founders of NKAF. The Award, given by the Northeast Kingdom Astronomy Foundation,
honors the spirit of generosity and commitment to science education that David Magnus, a
former science teacher, and Sidney Wanzer, a former physician, championed throughout their
lives.
Their efforts resulted in the founding of NKAF and the construction of the Northern Skies
Observatory in Peacham, Vermont, a resource made available for students of all ages.
By supporting graduating students with a passion for science and a need for financial
assistance, and who intend to attend college and major in a scientific field, the
Northeast Kingdom Astronomy Foundation honors our founders' legacy and continues
their mission to provide astronomy education to young people.
Loder was described by his guidance counselor as an incredible student who was very
active within the Academy community. He will be going to the University of Chicago to
study Physics.
You can contribute to this worthy cause at this page: https://www.nkaf.org/support-nkaf.html

11/02/2023

Here's the sky map up to Feb 10, but the comet should be just above the last location indicated!

11/02/2023

Hello astronomers!This winter has been truly disappointing in terms of really clear skies, especially with the green comet in the skies. I, myself, have not had the opportunity to see it! But, TONIGHT (Saturday, February 11) should work.
I don't know what its brightness is, but with a pair of binoculars you should be able to pick it out! Look in the NNW skies, to the left and above the Big Dipper and Polaris, past the bright star Capella, and you should see the planet Mars. Last night it was right next to Mars, so tonight it will be a little bit above Mars! See the attached sky map to help!

01/08/2022

The Governor's Institutes VT is always a great experience for NKAF educators.

The Astronomy Institute was out of this world! Thank you to the Vermont Space Grant Consortium (NASA/EPSCoR) for helping to make this experience possible for Vermont high schoolers.

01/05/2020

In everyone's best interest, our Astronomy Institute will instead be an online immersive experience this July. Reach out to Governor's Institutes VT for more information.

An important announcement from GIV HQ:

With the decision to move 2020 summer institutes online, we are excited to introduce GIV Immersions. In today’s world, homebound teens need the challenge and connection of GIV more than ever. Even though COVID-19 will halt our summer residencies, GIV faculty and staff are rallying to bring as much of the Institutes online as possible. Already, initial acceptance letters have gone out to 180 students who this June and July will be participating in brand-new, online GIV Immersions! To learn more, please visit www.giv.org/2020immersions, and of course, please reach out with any questions. We look forward to another summer of learning and leadership!

05/04/2020

Shoot for the stars at GIV! Summer 2020 applications are now open! http://bit.ly/2Z4jp9M

02/04/2020

This Summer, Find Your Way Forward with the Governor's Institutes of Vermont:

Right now, there is a lot of uncertainty and stress to contend with, but there's reason to believe that, come summer, life as we know it will return to some normalcy. That's why GIV is moving forward with caution and hope that summer Institutes will run as planned. Apply online now and take your education into your own hands! Explore your interest in Astronomy, discover new career opportunities, and work with practicing professionals and curious peers alike. GIV is closely monitoring the health and safety guidelines of the CDC and VDH. If cancellation is required at a later date, 100% of student payments will be refunded, so you have nothing to lose and tons to gain by applying.

If you know a VT high school student that would enjoy a week of astronomy in July, encourage them to visit www.giv.org/apply.

30/01/2020

You can see structures on the surface as small as 18.5 miles in size.

25/01/2020

Are you interested in teaching astronomy to students and the public? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to lead an astronomy observation or planetarium show? Know a someone who might be interested?

Perks include housing at the museum and an opportunity to travel the state getting people excited about learning about the stars. This position will work closely with museum and our observatory staff.

Apply today to work at the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium with LEAP.

This new position at Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium is out of this world! If you love astronomy and want to get hands on experience with Fairbanks new Passumpsic Bank Portable Planetarium, check this opportunity out. Follow the link below to learn about this half time Earth and Space Science Planetarium Educator position or give us a call at 802-626-6706.
**Half Time Living Allowance: $6,000 (pre-tax)**
**Half Time Education Award: $3,047.50 (pre-tax)**
https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=93042&fromSearch=true