MEET THE TEAM

“Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science.” – Edwin Powell Hubble

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Aaron has been chasing the stars for over 20 years—what began as a childhood fascination with the night sky turned into a lifelong passion for astronomy. As a seasoned amateur astronomer, he’s always on the lookout for the darkest skies in the country, where the Milky Way truly comes to life. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and Planetary Science through Arizona State University. When he's not studying or guiding under the stars, you can often find him exploring our home planet through hiking and camping adventures with his dog, Jax.

"We are part of this universe; we are in this universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts, is that the universe is in us.”

-Neil deGrasse Tyson

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Jaylind’s interest in astronomy and astrophysics started from the science fiction movies he would watch as a child (movies like Star Wars, War of the Worlds, Transformers, etc.). In his free time he would often find himself watching educational programs on space on the Science channel, namely “How the Universe Works,” and would often tell his grandparents of the things he learned. Since then, he has been hooked on space and has made it his life’s goal to understand and study as much as he can about the universe we live in. He majored in astrophysics at UCLA, with his favorite topics being active galactic nuclei and stellar physics. He enjoys sci-fi books and movies (currently reading Hyperion by Dan Simmons), astronomy, and loves watching science communicators like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Veritasium, or Kyle Hill. He is excited to be able to share his knowledge and passion about the universe with the public.

“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 

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A love for our home planet and mathematics propelled Devon into the fields of Astronomy, Planetary Science and Astrobiology. Obsessed with the variety of life seen on Earth, she enjoys pondering what extraterrestrial life may be like and whether or not we will ever find it.

"The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself." - Carl Sagan

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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.

“The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science.” Albert Einstein

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As a lifelong local, Amanda considers herself spoiled getting to grow up with a clear view of the night sky from her backyard in Joshua Tree. Her favorite nights are moonless, she describes as, “It’s like being in a snow globe of dark skies and bright stars, surrounded by darkness,  you can’t tell where the world ends, and the night sky begins. You can feel the vastness of space; it takes your breath away.”

Science and art tend to coalesce in aesthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientists are artists as well.” Albert Einstein 

Having lived in Joshua Tree her whole life, Lily has found a great appreciation for the vastness of the desert and the beautiful night sky it provides. It is a passion of hers to experience it not only in her backyard, but with others who share the interest as well. She gravitates to space and the many unknowns of the universe and captures it through the lens of her camera. Photography has been a well loved hobby of hers in many different forms, but her favorite can be found within the stars. As her love for art does not stop there. When she’s not gazing under the stars she can be found reading a new book, writing an old story,  listening to and making music, or perhaps watching films.

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. 

“Through our eyes, the universe is perceiving itself. Through our ears, the universe is listening to its harmonies. We are the witnesses through which the universe becomes conscious of its glory, of its magnificence.” - Alan Watts

By day, Sean is a working multimedia artist and hi-desert local. The deep inspiration he takes from the natural world is what drives the passion and mission behind his work - where he primarily collaborates with projects, commercial partners and non-profits who uphold commitments to preserving our planet's beauty. As someone who has lived in various parts of the world with incredibly diverse ecosystems, the constant for him has always been the connection he holds looking up at the night sky. When he's not spending his time exploring the cosmos or the Mojave wilderness, you'll find him channeling them into his art.