Planetarium Presenters
Mark Breen
Mark Breen discovered his love for astronomy right here at the Lyman Spitzer, Jr. Planetarium. He’s a self-taught astronomer, specializing in visual astronomy, planetary science, moon phases and ancient astronomy & astronomical sites. Along with his daily “Eye on the Night Sky” segments on Vermont Public, he authored the commentary for Claire Van Vliet’s Phaenomena by Aratus, produces the monthly SkyWatch Almanac, and has been the director of the LSJ Planetarium for most of his 40-plus years at the Fairbanks Museum.
Christian Bradley Hubbs
Christian Bradley Hubbs began interning at the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium in 2015 while still in high school. He has worked as a presenter in the Lyman Spitzer Jr. Planearium since 2018 and is currently the Co-Manager. Awed by space exploration and natural science at an early age, he now focuses on observational astronomy, aerospace sciences, rocketry and space crafts. His planetarium shows inform and engage visitors about astronomy and space exploration, with updates in his shows about NASA and other space programs.
Dr. Paul Benoit
Dr. Paul Benoit is our expert on meteorites and lunar samples, with a focus on radiation exposure. He has collaborated with Johnson Space Center and assisted in experiments on NASA’s microgravity program, known as the “vomit comet”. He was a member of the 1998 Antarctic search for meteorites (ANSMET) expedition, which added new meteorite samples to NASA and Smithsonian collection. He specializes in space objects, astrophysics, planet sciences and constellations. His planetarium show Solar System Settlement illustrates the future of human space exploration as we search for new places to live.
Mariama Jones
Mariama (Ama) Jones is the Co-Manager of the Lyman Spitzer Jr. Planetarium. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Policy and Anthropology. Ama specializes in ancient history, cultural anthropology and cosmology; and she combined these interests into planetarium programing that focuses on archeoastronomy. Her programs explore how people around the world view the stars, create constellations and build stories around those constellations. In her planetarium show Constellations & Cultures she explores the star stories of different cultures around the world.
Lawrence Hayes
Lawrence Hayes is an eye on the sky meteorologist who’s famous voice brings the forecast to thousands of people across the state. He is an expert in atmospheric sciences, weather patterns, and climateology. His love of meteorology and the sky led to a fascination with stars and the night sky. His planetarium show Sun Stars explores the brightest stars in our solar system and how they change throughout the year.