Monterey Institute For Research In Astronomy, operating under the name Mira, is located in Marina, CA. The organization was established in 1972. According to its NTEE Classification (U31) the organization is classified as: Astronomy, under the broad grouping of Science & Technology and related organizations. As of 12/2021, Mira employed 5 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Mira is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 12/2021, Mira generated $315.4k in total revenue. The organization has seen a slow decline revenue. Over the past 6 years, revenues have fallen by an average of (2.3%) each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $472.6k during the year ending 12/2021. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2021
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
1 CONDUCTING ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH. 2 ENCOURAGING THE ADVANCEMENT OF KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING ASTRONOMY BY EDUCATING THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH ACCOMPLISHMENTS: CARRIED OUT A VARIETY OF OBSERVATIONAL AND THEORETICAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS INCLUDING 1 LONG-TERM STUDIES OF GRAVITATIONAL LENSES INCLUDING IDENTIFICATION OF REFERENCE STARS; 2 CONSTRUCTION OF A HIGH-PRECISION POLARIMETER WITH ANALYSIS AND PUBLICATION OF POLARIMETRY RESULTS IN COOPERATION WITH OTHER OBSERVATORIES; 3 LONG-TERM MONITORING OF SHELL STARS; 4 DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER PROGRAMS TO MODEL SPECTRA OF EARLY-TYPE STARS; 6 INITIATION OF A COORDINATED INSTRUMENTATION SUITE FOR THE 36-INCH TELESCOPE CODAS; 7 ANALYSIS OF NASA X-RAYS FROM STELLAR FLARES; 8 ANALYSIS OF STELLAR INTERIOR STRUCTURES WITH ASTEROSEISMOLGY DATA FROM MIRA AND NASA DATA; AND 9 DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF A RESEARCH OBSERVATORY AT A REMOTE SITE.
NASA RESEARCH GRANT ON COMET TRAILS: USING NASA WIDEFIELD INFRARED SURVEY EXPLORER WISE DATA CARRIED OUT RESEARCH DISCOVERING AND IDENTIFYING COMET TRAILS NOT TAILS TO MAP OUT COMETARY ORBITAL HISTORIES.
PUBLIC EDUCATION IN ASTRONOMY: 1 PUBLISHED A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER. 2 PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES AND GUIDANCE FOR SIX HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE SUMMER INTERNS. 3 SPONSORED A LOCAL ASTRONOMY CLUB. 4 PROVIDED MAINTENANCE AND ACCESS TO THE STUDENT OBSERVATORY. 5 SUPPORT OF MONTEREY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY TELESCOPE BORROWING PROGRAM. 6 MAINTAINED AN ASTRONOMICAL EDUCATION WEBSITE. 7 CONDUCTED STAR PARTIES CLASSROOM VISITS AND TOURS AND ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES. 8 OUR USUAL SPONSORSHIP OF FOUR PUBLIC LECTURES BY EMINENT VISITING ASTRONOMERS ON TOPICS OF INTEREST TO THE PUBLIC WAS POSTPONED BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
---|---|---|---|
Gordon Jones Chairman Of The Board | OfficerTrustee | 8 | $0 |
Craig Chester President | OfficerTrustee | 3 | $0 |
Dennis Mar Secretary - Treasurer | OfficerTrustee | 3 | $0 |
Bruce Weaver Observatory Director | Trustee | 60 | $0 |
Gary Love Director | Trustee | 15 | $0 |
Richard Stedman Director | Trustee | 1 | $0 |
Statement of Revenue | |
---|---|
Federated campaigns | $0 |
Membership dues | $0 |
Fundraising events | $0 |
Related organizations | $0 |
Government grants | $31,899 |
All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $206,936 |
Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $59,234 |
Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $238,835 |
Total Program Service Revenue | $2,500 |
Investment income | $37,561 |
Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
Royalties | $0 |
Net Rental Income | $27,600 |
Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $8,912 |
Net Income from Fundraising Events | $0 |
Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $27 |
Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
Total Revenue | $315,435 |
Statement of Expenses | |
---|---|
Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $19,000 |
Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $0 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $0 |
Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
Other salaries and wages | $175,687 |
Pension plan accruals and contributions | $0 |
Other employee benefits | $528 |
Payroll taxes | $13,440 |
Fees for services: Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Legal | $0 |
Fees for services: Accounting | $2,073 |
Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
Fees for services: Investment Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Other | $35,579 |
Advertising and promotion | $374 |
Office expenses | $42,024 |
Information technology | $15,161 |
Royalties | $0 |
Occupancy | $46,099 |
Travel | $2,668 |
Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $1,172 |
Interest | $0 |
Payments to affiliates | $0 |
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $74,250 |
Insurance | $5,050 |
All other expenses | $165 |
Total functional expenses | $472,574 |
Balance Sheet | |
---|---|
Cash—non-interest-bearing | $21,191 |
Savings and temporary cash investments | $0 |
Pledges and grants receivable | $0 |
Accounts receivable, net | $8,000 |
Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
Inventories for sale or use | $3,970 |
Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $3,915 |
Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $1,710,819 |
Investments—publicly traded securities | $2,966,837 |
Investments—other securities | $0 |
Investments—program-related | $0 |
Intangible assets | $0 |
Other assets | $0 |
Total assets | $4,714,732 |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $7,056 |
Grants payable | $0 |
Deferred revenue | $0 |
Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Other liabilities | $4,547 |
Total liabilities | $11,603 |
Net assets without donor restrictions | $4,642,366 |
Net assets with donor restrictions | $60,763 |
Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $4,714,732 |
Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 1 grants that Monterey Institute For Research In Astronomy has recieved totaling $186.
Awarding Organization | Amount |
---|---|
Amazonsmile Foundation Seattle, WA PURPOSE: GENERAL SUPPORT | $186 |
Beg. Balance | $60,763 |
Ending Balance | $60,713 |
Organization Name | Assets | Revenue |
---|---|---|
Gmto Corporation Pasadena, CA | $305,649,164 | $8,771,769 |
California Association For Research In Astronomy Kamuela, HI | $81,069,087 | $25,670,237 |
Seti Institute Mountain View, CA | $26,724,400 | $28,045,270 |
Large Binocular Telescope Corporation Tucson, AZ | $104,607,014 | $11,909,094 |
Lowell Observatory Flagstaff, AZ | $78,377,713 | $22,823,113 |
Planetary Science Institute Tucson, AZ | $5,275,095 | $17,303,405 |
Tmt International Observatory Llc Pasadena, CA | $169,747,389 | $25,562,706 |
Canada France Hawaii Telescope Corporation Kamuela, HI | $15,098,361 | $9,205,566 |
Wiyn Consortium Inc Tucson, AZ | $27,019,162 | $3,689,249 |
Soar Consortium Inc Tucson, AZ | $23,700,628 | $2,948,166 |
B612 Foundation Mill Valley, CA | $5,510,258 | $2,167,756 |
Astronomical Society Of The Pacific San Francisco, CA | $5,482,594 | $2,444,548 |