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 enjoys astronomy and astronaut art and humor. She writes our newsletter, does publicity, writes grants, does program scheduling and is our web master. Her presentations include Earth Day, Christmas in Space and Art of the Aurora. She met astronaut Marco Pontes at the Kennedy Space Center - a great place to visit.

Rosemary Walling

Secretary

Rosemary teaches astronomy at UAS. She organized Digital Planetarium Week and does grant writing . She is our liaison with the Juneau School District. Her presentations include Sky watching and Ancient Calendars, Henrietta Leavitt, Exploring Mars and Exoplanets. She has also given shows using a portable planetarium we borrowed.

Steve Kocsis

Treasurer

Steve has taught astronomy at UAS. He is a retired mathematician and is interested in cosmology. He does two minute astronomy spots on KTOO radio - Star Talk. . His presentations include The Big Bang, Einstein, Gravitational Waves, Heavenly Aviaries, Black Holes and Stephen Hawking. He has been to eight solar eclipses.b

More Board Members

Sharing their passion for astronomy

Dave Hanson

Vice President

Dave works for NOAA and is an avid astrophotographer. His shows include: Astrophotography and the Night Sky, and the James Webb Telescope, He is our technical go to guy and has made videos for us..

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 the night sky on the rare days when sky is clear.

Saffron

Enjoying walk on Mars

Saffron is a four 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 presentations 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