OUR TEAM
Founder & Director of Programming
Matthias Schmitt
Matthias has been passionately involved in astronomy outreach and public events in astronomy, STEM, and space sciences for over ten years. He manages night sky programs for the National Park Service and teaches a wide range of astronomy topics to K-12 students and adults at astronomy clubs. He is an avid eclipse chaser with observations in Antarctica, Oregon, Argentina, Oman, and other locations. Previously, he was the Executive Producer of the CGI-animated STEM television show Space Racers. Matthias holds a Master of Science in Astronomy from Swinburne University's Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing. He is a member of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), the American Astronomical Society (AAS), the St. George Astronomy Group, and the Amateur Astronomer Association of New York.
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Astronomy Guide & Operations Manager
Zoie Brooks
Zoie is in her element when she is outdoors exploring the wonders of the natural world. She graduated from BYU-Hawaii with a Bachelors of Science in Biology with a Marine Emphasis. Now living in the desert, Zoie shares her love of science and learning as an astronomy guide for Stargazing Zion. In her free time you can find her outdoors exploring trails with her camera, fishing, hiking, biking, and park hopping with her husband and two kids.
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Astronomy Guide
Matt Taber
Matt began his dive into astronomy and stargazing in his pursuit of awe. To him, the night sky is more than a spectacle, it is one of humanity’s oldest shared experiences, a canvas for limitless scientific inquiry and endless personal reflection. With an education background in physics and philosophy and years spent guiding students under the stars, he aims to make the vast and ineffable feel personal. Whether through scientific
insight or the quiet pull of wonder, his goal is to give everyone the chance to discover what the stars truly mean to them. Under the sun, you’ll find Matt at various cafés working on books and projects about science, philosophy, and human values.
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Astronomy Guide
Colin Littlefield
Colin Littlefield is an astronomer at the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute and is a member of a speckle interferometry research group based at the NASA Ames Research Center. Previously, he worked as an observational astronomer at the University of Notre Dame. In addition to his current work in speckle interferometry, he has a longstanding research interest in cataclysmic variable stars, and he has published his research in a variety of peer-reviewed journals. A resident of southern Utah, he enjoys hiking through the area’s otherworldly landscapes during his free time.
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Night Sky Photography Assistant
Chris Giles
​Chris is a nature geek who likes to observe and preserve the natural world. He recently attained a bachelor of science degree in biology from DSU. He has a deep fascination with space, and loves to learn mind blowing facts that make us thoroughly think about our existence, and the mystery of the universe. You can find him outside with his camera exploring the amazing landscapes in the area, and capturing photos of the stars.
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Night Sky Photography Assistant
Tanner Londo
Tanner's curiosity of the night sky stems from constantly being outdoors. The most fascinating thing in the sky to Tanner is the Milky Way because of how close but yet so far it is away from us. You can find him outside with his camera capturing the essence of mother nature, through landscapes and the vast multitude of stars.
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Night Sky Photography Assistant
Spencer Johnson
Spencer, an avid photographer and videographer, finds peace in capturing the wonders of the night sky through his camera lens. Currently pursuing a degree in Digital Film at Utah Tech University, he dedicates his spare moments to venturing far from urban lights, seeking the beauty of the cosmos. His lifelong fascination with outer space resonates in his choice of favorite films—masterpieces like “Dune” and “Interstellar,” which unfold against the backdrop of the vast cosmic expanse.
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Night Sky Photography Assistant
Kelly Towsey
Growing up in southern Alberta, Canada, Kelly has always felt at home in the outdoors. Taking pictures of nature has been a hobby of hers since she got her first camera at age 10. In college, she spent a semester abroad in a "small" town in China with about 9 million people. While overall being a stark contrast to her upbringing on the prairies, the difference that stuck out the most was how different the sky was. She spent 5 months in this town and saw only 3 stars in the sky! The first thing Kelly noticed upon returning home was how blue the sky was and how beautiful the stars were. This experience sparked her passion for the night sky. These days, Kelly loves to learn and finds joy in serving those around her.
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Founder & Night Sky Photography Assistant
Kramer Ditty
Kramer's enthusiasm for stars has always been rooted in the science - that we are all made up of stardust. As one who celebrates and recognizes that the universe is much larger than each of us here on Planet Earth, Kramer is often finding ways to capture its grandiosity through music and videography. You will often find him setting the mood, or seeking out the ISS and other celestial objects from above.
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Astronomy Guide
Devon Salasin
Devon’s passion for our home planet has fueled her interest into the fields of Planetary Science and Astronomy. Graduating from Penn State University, she spent most of her time in the Center for Exoplanets and Habitable Worlds, soaking up everything Astrobiology and Climatology. Leaving the planet and our day-to-day lives behind, she ponders some of the Universe’s biggest questions. Where did we come from? Is anybody out there?
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Founder & Director of Communications
Hannah Barry
Hannah's love for the night sky has grown from her adventurous spirit of being outdoors. Camping along the Rio Grande, biking under the Milky Way in Death Valley, and hiking through the Atacama desert have all contributed to her curiosity of constellations and planets. As a part of the Stargazing Zion team, Hannah works to create an immersive and enjoyable experience for guests. You can often find her preparing beverages or fluffing chairs, or pointing out her zodiac Capricorn.
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