Horseshoe Crab Solstice Walk

Horseshoe crabs were some of Earth’s first astronomers! For over 450 million years, horseshoe crabs have been precisely coordinating their spawning behaviors with the lunar cycle to protect their eggs from marine predators.
 
In celebration of International Horseshoe Crab Day and the summer solstice, join MMA Director of Astronomy Dr. Regina Jorgenson and MMA Aquarium Director Jack Dubinsky on a special interdisciplinary night walk on the beach as we search for horseshoe crabs, learn about horseshoe crab biology, and discuss the physics of lunar phases, seasons, and tides! We will also observe constellations and discuss how marine organisms, including horseshoe crabs, may use Earth’s magnetic field to navigate in the ocean.
 
This program will meet at Massachusetts Avenue at Madaket Harbor at 9:00 PM on Tuesday June 21^st. This program is designed to be interesting for adults and children ages 13 and up. We highly suggest you bring your own flashlight or headlamp. You will be responsible for transportation to and from the beach. In the event of bad weather, this program will be cancelled, and refunds issued.