Bryan Cogdell – Tour Leader and Astrophotographer
Bryan is an astrophotographer and our telescope expert. Passionate about finding the best skies to set his telescopes under, he specializes in “weekend warrior imaging” and enjoys traveling to (and backpacking to) the best dark skies. Bryan has 17 years’ experience in the consumer telescope industry and has given night sky tours and astrophotography talks around the world. Bryan loves sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with our guests.
Desirae Vanek Cogdell – Editor and Event Specialist
Desirae is Bryan’s partner and collaborator who manages our tours and web presence. Desirae has a background in writing and in designing unique and educational guest experiences in the non-profit world. When she’s not seeking out dark skies with Bryan, you can find her on the trail or in the garden.
Jarred Donkersley – Writer, Photographer and Tour Guide
Jarred is a science communicator, amateur astronomer, landscape astrophotographer, and printmaker originally from Arizona. Championing dark sky conservation and a more visceral, spatial awareness of our place in the solar system and Milky Way, Donkersley utilizes spoken and written interpretation of the night sky and visual presentation of the culture of space in outreach events, photography workshops, on social media, gallery shows, and on his website, darkskymatters.com.
Michelle Meskill – Brand Relations and Event Specialist
Growing up in Orlando, Florida with the soundtrack of sonic booms from Kennedy Space Center in her backyard, Michelle became fascinated with the universe and traveling the planet at a very early age. Her interest in space followed her to Los Angeles, where she took her first look at Saturn through the large telescope at Griffith Observatory, and she was officially hooked. Now with over 13 years of experience in the consumer telescope industry directing marketing, event planning, fundraising for non-profits and traveling the world, Michelle is excited to bring the wonders of the universe to you too!