WELCOME TO THE ISLAND ASTRONOMY INSTITUTE!
The Island Astronomy Institute delivers a wide array of programs to people of all ages on Mount Desert Island (MDI), Maine, home of Acadia National Park. Isolated from the growing threat of light pollution, MDI retains some of the last naturally dark skies on the East Coast. The Island Astronomy Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation.
 CURRENT EVENTS—Updated July 15
Peter Homer (right) was featured at the Smithsonian Institute's 42nd Annual Folklife Festival, which took place June 25-July 6 on the National Mall. Peter, a member of the Island Astronomy Institute's Board of Advisors, is recognized for developing "an innovative new space suit glove design that is strong, easy on the hands, and gives the operator a high degree of dexterity."
Peter discusses his glove design, and the processes of innovation and invention, in his June 27 video from the Folklife Festival. Visitors to Peter's display at NASA's Derived Technologies tent were able to see how it feels to wear a pressurized space suit glove, and to learn more about the devlopment of the next generation of space suits.
See our News page for more information about "Hands in Space" Education, presented by the Island Astronomy Institute and Flagsuit LLC.
Our Director's Blog and video report will bring the Folklife Festival to you! Enjoy learning more about Peter Homer's innovations and the public's response to his astronaut glove exhibit.
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
The Institute provides programs and resources to schools and the public, promoting astronomy as an exciting activity for people of all ages. Our interdisciplinary programs include mythology, recent discoveries from NASA, and the spectacular starry skies of Acadia National Park. The Institute is currently focused on acquiring a Digital STARLAB Portable Planetarium for use in educational presentations and service learning projects.
 STARLIT SKY PRESERVATION
The Institute's Starlit Communities project is dedicated to preserving the nighttime environment over Down East Maine. The Institute has forged a unique partnership with the National Park Service and the Friends of Acadia to foster public stewardship of our starlit skies.
OUR AFFILIATES
We work with several local and national organizations that share our missions of dark sky preservation and astronomy education. Our newest affiliate: Flagsuit LLC.
For current observing conditions and maps of the sky, see the Island Astronomy Clear Sky Clock.
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