Maria Mitchell Aquarium, Public aquarium in Nantucket, Massachusetts.
The Maria Mitchell Aquarium is a public aquarium on Nantucket housing approximately 20 saltwater tanks with more than 50 native marine species from local harbor waters. The displays showcase the diversity of the area's ocean life in authentic saltwater environments.
The aquarium was established in 1997 inside a former railroad ticket office building. It operates through the Maria Mitchell Association, an organization dedicated to advancing scientific education in the community.
The aquarium carries forward the work of Maria Mitchell, the first American female astronomer, who believed in sharing scientific knowledge with everyone. Today, visitors experience this same spirit through hands-on learning about the ocean and its creatures.
Visitors can interact with marine life in two touch tanks containing crabs, shrimp, and snails to learn hands-on about local species. The facility also offers outdoor field programs focused on marine ecology for those wanting deeper exploration.
Each summer the aquarium collects local marine specimens that are later released back into their natural habitat during an annual Release Day event. This connects visitors to a real conservation effort.
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