OUR TEAM
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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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
Nickelle Blanton
Growing up on a small farm, Nickelle was drawn to the beauty of nature and the magic of the starry night sky. She discovered a passion for capturing the outdoors through photography and pursued that passion by earning a degree in Digital Film from Utah Tech University, combining her creativity with her love of nature. She finds comfort in the idea that space is so much bigger than us and enjoys the peacefulness that comes with being under the stars. In her free time, Nickelle loves hanging out with her dog at the lake, reading, hiking and learning new things.​
Night Sky Photography Assistant
Justus Jordan
Justus grew up camping in Southern Utah and has always loved the magic of the desert. The first time he saw the night skies away from light pollution, it changed his entire view of our universe. His passions are photography, filmmaking, and being outdoors. Having recently obtained a degree in Digital Film from Utah Tech University, he strives to take his storytelling to the next level and enjoy the beauty our universe has to offer.
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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
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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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.
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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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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Operations 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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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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