OUR TEAM
MATTHIAS SCHMITT
ASTRONOMY GUIDE
"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.
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
"If it’s a new planet, sign me up. I’m tired of driving around the block, boldly going where hundreds have gone before in orbit around earth—give me a place to go and I’ll go."
- Neil deGrasse Tyson
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.
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.
HANNAH BARRY
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.
