46 North Science Initiative is a project of 46 North Astronomy Center, Inc., a Wisconsin nonprofit organization. The work is early-stage and phased, with astronomy first and community benefit at the center.
Founder & Project Lead
Chris Rand is the founder and project lead for 46 North Science Initiative. His background spans more than 30 years across business operations, project management, nonprofit leadership and fundraising, public relations, and youth-focused STEM programs, with astronomy-related work dating back to the early 1990s.
Consulting Astronomer & Youth STEM Engagement Advisor
Prof. Jim Moravec is the founder of the International Association for Astronomical Studies, an immersive youth astronomy and space sciences program based in the Denver, Colorado area.
For nearly 50 years, IAAS has helped bring astronomy and space-science opportunities to youth across metro Denver and the eastern plains of Colorado. His experience with long-running youth astronomy programming provides valuable perspective as 46 North Astronomy Center develops its own community-focused astronomy and youth STEM efforts in the Northwoods.
46 North Science Initiative is also supported by people providing informal input and project guidance across astronomy, astrophysics, space science, environmental science, education, communications, and other STEM-related fields.
As roles become more public-facing, we will continue updating the site so the leadership, advisory, and support structure is clear.
46 North is actively searching for the right Northwoods site for a future astronomy-focused facility. While that search continues, we are building school, community, and partner relationships and planning future mobile or partner-hosted astronomy activities.
The nonprofit relationship, public websites, planning work, school outreach, local conversations, and early community feedback are underway.
We are building support, clarifying programs, developing youth astronomy opportunities, identifying partners, and preparing for safe mobile or partner-hosted programming.
A permanent astronomy-focused center in the Northwoods, developed only after the right site, funding, permissions, staffing, safety planning, and community support come together.
46 North is being shaped around community benefit first. Astronomy is the starting point, but the purpose is broader: to create meaningful opportunities for students, families, educators, local partners, and residents across the Northwoods.
Helpful support may include local introductions, school or teacher connections, astronomy feedback, public awareness, advisory input, partnership ideas, funding leads, donated goods or services, and potential land or site opportunities.
