OUR TEAM
MATTHIAS SCHMITT
CO-FOUNDER & HEAD ASTRONOMER
"Astronomy compels the soul to look upward and leads us from this world to another." - Plato​
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.
ZOIE BROOKS
ASTRONOMY GUIDE & OPERATIONS MANAGER
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.
TANNER LONDO
NIGHT SKY ASSISTANT
"Perhaps there is a pattern set up in the heavens for one who desires to see it, and having seen it, to find one in himself." - Plato
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.
JENN JORDAN
ASTRONOMY GUIDE
For as long as she can remember, Jenn has been passionate about exploring Space and learning about our Universe. She joined the U.S. Air Force at the age of 21 with hopes of one day becoming an astronaut. Through her journey traveling the world, she earned multiple degrees, to include a degree in Space Studies with a focus on Astronomy. For the past thirteen years she has focused on home schooling her children, and teaching Astronomy courses to home school kids. She is currently writing an astronomy book series to introduce the wonders of the universe to teens.
SPENCER JOHNSON
NIGHT SKY ASSISTANT
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.
MACY REED
ASTRONOMY GUIDE
"Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science." —Edwin Hubble
Macy loves the earth and the night sky above it. Her best education is the countless hours spent outside, learning the names of the birds, plants, and constellations, but she's also learning a thing or two as a Botany major at Utah Valley University and from completing USU's Dark Sky Observations program. Macy is doing her best to understand the universe and her place in it through study and observation. She is a firm believer that there is little a night spent under the stars can't fix.
CHRIS GILES
NIGHT SKY ASSISTANT
“Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.” - Stephen Hawking
​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.
KELLY TOWSEY
NIGHT SKY ASSISTANT
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.
COLIN LITTLEFIELD
ASTRONOMY GUIDE
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.
DEVON SALASIN
ASTRONOMY GUIDE
“The view of earth is absolutely spectacular, and the feeling of looking back and seeing your planet as a planet is just an amazing feeling. It’s a totally different perspective, and it makes you appreciate, actually, how fragile our existence is.” -Sally Ride ​
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?
KRAMER DITTY
NIGHT SKY ASSISTANT
"The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe itself." - Carl Sagan​
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.
HANNAH BARRY
CO-FOUNDER & OPERATIONS MANAGER
"Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere." - Carl Sagan​
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.