Marie Drake Planetarium

Friends of the Marie Drake Planetarium (FOMDP)

FOMDP a 501(c)(3) was formed in 2014 to support astronomy education in Juneau.
Our mission is to promote astronomy education in Juneau including promoting, using and upgrading the Marie Drake Planetarium.
When the non-profit formed, the general running of the planetarium remained as before: Presentations and events continued to be free and are the planetarium continues to be run by volunteers.
A person must volunteer for at least a year before being becoming a board member.

Photo compiled by Rosemary Walling

Current Board Members

Cristina Della Rosa, President (500-2942)

Clark Branch, General Member (723-8044)
Steve Kocsis, Treasurer (500-2941)

Rosemary Walling, Secretary and JSD Liaison (723-0692)

Dave Hanson, Vice-President (465-9272)

You may contact any board member with questions, ideas for shows, constructive suggestions for improvement, etc.

Email is our preferred method of communication, but you can also call us.

[email protected]

Current Board

They also volunteer at the planetarium

Cristina Della Rosa

Board President

Cristina is a retired administrative assistant. She is interested in general astronomy especially astronomy and astronaut humor. She runs website and Facebook page. She also writes newsletter. Her presentations include Earth Day Christmas in Space, Art of the Aurora, and Big Dippe and Moon Humor.

Rosemary Walling

Secretary

Rosemary teaches astronomy at UAS. She enjoys sharing astronomy with adults and kids. She organized Digital Planetarium Week . She works on grants, a portable planetarium and our liaison with the Juneau School District, among other tasks. Her presentations include Henrietta Leavitt and and Exoplanets.

Steve Kocsis

Treasurer

Steve has taught astronomy at UAS. He is a retired mathematician and is interested in cosmology. He enjoys sharing astronomy with general and adult audiences. His presentations include The Big Bang, Einstein, Black Holes and Stephen Hawking.

He has been to eight solar eclipses.

Sharing their passion for astronomy

Dave Hanson

Vice President

Dave works for NOAA and is an avid astrophotographer. He enjoys sharing astronomy with general audiences. His shows include: Astrophotography and the Night Sky He creates videos for our YouTube Channel and is our technical go to guy.

Clark Branch

Board Member

Clark works for GCI cable company. He enjoys sharing astronomy with general and audiences and children. His shows include: History of Astronomy and The Night Sky. He enjoys telescope viewing of night sky on the rare days when sky is clear.

Saffron

Enjoying walk on Mars

Saffron is a three year old shelter dog. She enjoys hiking and the snow. She loves being outside and is ready to explore Mars.

Past Board Members

We appreciate the work of these people

Michael Orelove

Unofficial Planetarium Director

Michael spearheaded the planetarium for many years before it was a non-profit. He continues his involvement in many community activities in Oregon. He organized the Planet Walk. community sundial, numerous July 4tth parades and the tidal gage He gave many shows and particularly enjoyed sharing astronomy with children..

John Kremers

Past board member

John worked for the State of Alaska. He enjoyed sharing astronomy with all audiences.

Ken Fix