Meet the Dark Rangers®!
The "Family's" Origin Story
Dark Ranger Telescope Tours is a locally owned and operated small family business dedicated to improving science literacy, building enthusiasm for humanity becoming a space-faring civilization, and heightening awareness of the importance of protecting natural darkness, for its myriad of values, against the malignancy of light pollution. We further these goals through public presentations and tours of the night sky using telescopes.
Our owner, Kevin, as a Bryce Canyon Park Ranger and his volunteer rangers Ron and Randy, founded the original "Dark Rangers" in 2001. As National Park Service (NPS) government employees, they didn't just revitalize the astronomy tradition of Bryce Canyon, but new concepts like their "astro-interpretation" (i.e. blending education, advocacy, and entertainment) and an annual Astronomy Festival spread throughout the National Parks. NPS night sky researchers like Dan, Chad, Angie, and Kate added credibility by developing what is still the gold-standard of scientific methodology for measuring and monitoring the quality of pristine night sky. Soon the movement caught the attention of Dark Sky International who lent critical support by bestowing Dark Sky Park designations. Ranger Ralph saw to it that Natural Bridges National Monument (also Utah) became the world's first. Soon there were dark sky designations for towns, counties, and even cities, protecting natural darkness not just with lighting ordinances, but also meeting the equally rigorous requirements for education outreach like the Dark Rangers deliver. Those original Dark Rangers were more than eager to share techniques and philosophies with all these new allies.
For better or worse Kevin was "invited" (aka directed) by the NPS to pivot his passion toward green energy and low-carbon transportation. Despite some successes it didn't take long for Kevin to realize that contract management was not his greatest calling. Richard and Geoff, recognizing the melancholy in their boss, provided both the inspiration and facilitated a way for Kevin to "go pro with the Dark Rangering." Geoff would assume the role of Dark Ranger leadership within the NPS, and Richard would help Kevin found Dark Ranger Telescope Tours (DRTT) as a retirement project started early.
By the time Kevin was able to retire from the NPS in 2025, DRTT was celebrating both its 10th anniversary and the bigger milestone of paying off their amazing fleet of telescopes. Recalls Kevin, "When we presented our business model pitch to many different banks back in 2014, asking them for a $100,000 business loan to purchase and maintain research grade telescopes repurposed for education and entertainment, the best deal we got was, 'That'll never work! But bless your hearts (and if it will get you out of my office sooner), here's (5) credit cards each with a $20,000 limit. Best of luck to you!'"
Clearly Kevin and Richard were right and the banks were wrong! We are happy to report that DRTT, Utah's first and foremost stargazing company, now has a few copycat competitors. We welcome the competition because their existence makes what we pioneered seem more like an industry rather than just a boutique business. Hopefully, as they also become profitable, they will also mimic the advocacy elements of the DRTT business model and start helping us push back against the unnecessary uses of outdoor lighting - preserving Utah's world-class night sky resource the world travels all this way to experience.
Regardless, to this day, and onward into perpetuity, you will find our observatories, with the largest collection of publicly accessible BIG telescopes in North America, located on the western boundary (aka "the dark side") of Bryce Canyon National Park, where our 'space odyssey' began back in 2001.
As you skim our staff profiles below, you will see we are an eclectic ensemble of astronomy expertise and hospitality talent. Some were drawn to us to gain astrophotography access to our BIG scopes, made huge by the dark sky we protect, and then they stayed to serve that larger Mission. Most are part of our proverbial launch pad to academia and NASA (Note: corporate America's preference for the "pipeline" analogy sounds too septic to us). In exchange for fostering public speaking skills in the PhD students DRTT shares with prestigious universities, we gain pre-publication exposure to their transformational astrophysics research. Dark Rangers bound for NASA's astronaut program not only gain the Dark Ranger 'stage presence,' but get practice living and working at an off-grid solar powered facility -- more "Mars" than the NASA-sponsored Mars training center (also in Utah). A few defected from the ranks of park rangers to do similar work without the burden of bureaucracy. A handful were born / married into Dark Rangering.
We are the Dark Rangers®, united by a shared enthusiasm for all things nocturnal. Perhaps "family" isn't the best descriptor, but that's how we describe our affinity for and support of each other. Most importantly, family is fundamental to hospitality in which we welcome you to stargaze with us.
Our owner, Kevin, as a Bryce Canyon Park Ranger and his volunteer rangers Ron and Randy, founded the original "Dark Rangers" in 2001. As National Park Service (NPS) government employees, they didn't just revitalize the astronomy tradition of Bryce Canyon, but new concepts like their "astro-interpretation" (i.e. blending education, advocacy, and entertainment) and an annual Astronomy Festival spread throughout the National Parks. NPS night sky researchers like Dan, Chad, Angie, and Kate added credibility by developing what is still the gold-standard of scientific methodology for measuring and monitoring the quality of pristine night sky. Soon the movement caught the attention of Dark Sky International who lent critical support by bestowing Dark Sky Park designations. Ranger Ralph saw to it that Natural Bridges National Monument (also Utah) became the world's first. Soon there were dark sky designations for towns, counties, and even cities, protecting natural darkness not just with lighting ordinances, but also meeting the equally rigorous requirements for education outreach like the Dark Rangers deliver. Those original Dark Rangers were more than eager to share techniques and philosophies with all these new allies.
For better or worse Kevin was "invited" (aka directed) by the NPS to pivot his passion toward green energy and low-carbon transportation. Despite some successes it didn't take long for Kevin to realize that contract management was not his greatest calling. Richard and Geoff, recognizing the melancholy in their boss, provided both the inspiration and facilitated a way for Kevin to "go pro with the Dark Rangering." Geoff would assume the role of Dark Ranger leadership within the NPS, and Richard would help Kevin found Dark Ranger Telescope Tours (DRTT) as a retirement project started early.
By the time Kevin was able to retire from the NPS in 2025, DRTT was celebrating both its 10th anniversary and the bigger milestone of paying off their amazing fleet of telescopes. Recalls Kevin, "When we presented our business model pitch to many different banks back in 2014, asking them for a $100,000 business loan to purchase and maintain research grade telescopes repurposed for education and entertainment, the best deal we got was, 'That'll never work! But bless your hearts (and if it will get you out of my office sooner), here's (5) credit cards each with a $20,000 limit. Best of luck to you!'"
Clearly Kevin and Richard were right and the banks were wrong! We are happy to report that DRTT, Utah's first and foremost stargazing company, now has a few copycat competitors. We welcome the competition because their existence makes what we pioneered seem more like an industry rather than just a boutique business. Hopefully, as they also become profitable, they will also mimic the advocacy elements of the DRTT business model and start helping us push back against the unnecessary uses of outdoor lighting - preserving Utah's world-class night sky resource the world travels all this way to experience.
Regardless, to this day, and onward into perpetuity, you will find our observatories, with the largest collection of publicly accessible BIG telescopes in North America, located on the western boundary (aka "the dark side") of Bryce Canyon National Park, where our 'space odyssey' began back in 2001.
As you skim our staff profiles below, you will see we are an eclectic ensemble of astronomy expertise and hospitality talent. Some were drawn to us to gain astrophotography access to our BIG scopes, made huge by the dark sky we protect, and then they stayed to serve that larger Mission. Most are part of our proverbial launch pad to academia and NASA (Note: corporate America's preference for the "pipeline" analogy sounds too septic to us). In exchange for fostering public speaking skills in the PhD students DRTT shares with prestigious universities, we gain pre-publication exposure to their transformational astrophysics research. Dark Rangers bound for NASA's astronaut program not only gain the Dark Ranger 'stage presence,' but get practice living and working at an off-grid solar powered facility -- more "Mars" than the NASA-sponsored Mars training center (also in Utah). A few defected from the ranks of park rangers to do similar work without the burden of bureaucracy. A handful were born / married into Dark Rangering.
We are the Dark Rangers®, united by a shared enthusiasm for all things nocturnal. Perhaps "family" isn't the best descriptor, but that's how we describe our affinity for and support of each other. Most importantly, family is fundamental to hospitality in which we welcome you to stargaze with us.
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Andy "Chef" Years of Astronomy Experience: 6
Education: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Electronic Media Arts and Communication Astrological Sign: Construction Ahead Favorite Telescope: Arthur: 180mm Stellarvue Refractor on CGE Pro (with On-step upgrade) mount Favorite Telescope Object: Caroline's Rose (NGC 7789), an old but still dense, open star cluster Favorite Sci-Fi 'Verse / Character: Red Dwarf / Dave Lister Fun Fact About Me: I've visited 47 U.S. States, and lived in all 4 contiguous time zones in the U.S. Gaya "Earth Goddess" Years of Astronomy Experience: 3
Education: Florida Institute of Technology (Graduating 2027) with B.S. in Astronomy and Astrophysics Astrological Sign: Watch for UFOs Ahead Favorite Telescope: Magrathea, 14" Meade RCX 400 SCT on CGE Pro Mount. Favorite Astronomical Object: Hercules Globular Star Cluster (M13) 500,000 stars like so many diamonds on black velvet Favorite Sci-Fi 'Verse / Character: Louise Banks / Arrival Fun Fact About Me: I grew up in Kenya. Jan "Mother of Danes" Years of Astronomy Experience: Maybe a month's worth over last 12 years?
Education: Utah State University, Forestry B.S. Astrological Sign: $1000 Fine for Littering Favorite Telescope: Whichever one somebody else sets up for me. Favorite Astronomical Object: Sol, like during a solar eclipse, because I don't have to stay up late to see it. What can I say? I'm diurnal! Favorite Sci-Fi 'Verse / Character: Star Trek / Jean Luc Picard Fun Fact About Me: George Lucas (yes, THAT George Lucas) thought I was an entertaining telescope operator. |
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Kevin "The Boss" Years of Astronomy Experience: 26
Education: USU, 2 BS degrees in Forestry & Recreation Resource Mgmt. with 4 minors in: Geology, Biology, Wildlife Mgmt., & Anthropology. Astrological Sign: Gusty Winds May Exist Favorite Telescope: Moby, The Improbable Sperm Whale, 12.5" Meade Newtonian on equatorial mount with a star drive and rotation ring Favorite Astronomical Object: Stargate Cluster, (STF 1659), most unnatural looking deep space object, which is perfect for 'punking' UFO buffs. Favorite Sci-Fi 'Verse / Character: Stargate / Teal'C Fun Fact About Me: I got married to Jan with rings of meteorite and tungsten, under the ring of stone, under the ring fire (i.e., during an annular solar eclipse at Rainbow Bridge Nat. Mon). LIam "Lemur" Years of Astronomy Experience: 10
Education: University of Massachusetts, BS in Astrophysics Astrological Sign: Crab Crossing Favorite Telescope: Trillian, C-11" on CGX-L mount Favorite Astronomical Object: Arp 271 (NGC 5426 & NGC 5427), a beautiful pair of spiral galaxies interacting at perpendicular angles. Favorite Sci-Fi 'Verse / Character: Star Wars / Plo Koon Fun Fact About Me: While working at NASA I made the 3D animations for the Uncrewed Artemis 1 mission Logan "Logang" Years of Astronomy Experience: 15
Education: EMT, NPS Ranger School Astrological Sign: SLOW! Children at Play Favorite Telescope: Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz, 25" Obsession Dobsonian, currently DRTT's largest telescope Favorite Astronomical Object: Omega Centauri, the undigested core of a smaller galaxy the Milky Way engulfed long ago. Favorite Sci-Fi 'Verse / Character: Firefly / Hoban "Wash" Washburne Fun Fact About Me: I've hiked 1000+ of miles at Bryce Canyon as a Search & Rescue / Backcountry Patrol Ranger MckennA "Space Cowgirl" Years of Astronomy Experience: 6
Education: Florida Institute of Technology: 2 BS degrees in Astrophysics & Astrobiology, (currently in their Masters / PhD program) Astrological Sign: Wildlife Crossing Favorite Telescope: Ford 12" SkyWatcher Newtonian on CGX-L mount Favorite Astronomical Object: The Owl Cluster (NGC 457) because Favorite Sci-Fi 'Verse / Character: Dr. Who / River Song Fun Fact About Me: I'm DRTT's future pilot. I already have my pilot's license. I just need "The Boss" to buy us a an Embraer Phenom 300e jet. Morgan "fisher queen" Years of Astronomy Experience: 15
Education: Utah State University: BS Degree Fisheries & Aquatic Systems. Astrological Sign: Gone fishing. Be back after dark. Favorite Telescope: Total Perspective Vortex, 20" Starmaster Dobsonian Favorite Astronomical Object: Hercules Globular Star Cluster (M13) Favorite Sci-Fi Character: Spaceballs / Dark Helmet Fun Fact About Me: I collect hobbies like pokemon: crochet, sewing, sourdough, fishkeeping, birdwatching, etc. Got to Catch them all! |
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Ray "RocK Man" Years of Astronomy Experience: 15
Education: Utah State University: 2 BS Degrees in Geology & Hydrology. Astrological Sign: No Vehicles Beyond this Point Favorite Telescope: Fenchurch, Televue 101mm refractor on a Losmandy G8 tracking mount Favorite Astronomical Object: The Swan Nebula (M17), has a Swan-like profile in a eyepiece, though its just a hot mess of gas in astrophotography. Favorite Sci-Fi Character: Star Wars / Grogu Fun Fact About Me: I'm a recovering astrophotography addict. Richard "Star Geezer" Years of Astronomy Experience: 45
Education: East Texas State University, English BA Astrological Sign: Wrong Way Do Not Enter Favorite Telescope: Wowbagger: 7" F8 wooden refractor on Meade LDX 650 mount Favorite Astronomical Object: Markarian's Chain (M84 etc); because you can see 7 galaxies in the same eyepiece. Favorite Sci-Fi Character: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy /Arthur Dent Fun Fact About Me: I never took a single university course in Astronomy, but I learned how to read well, and that was enough to catch me up. Savannah "Scary" Years of Astronomy Experience: 8
Education: Wellesley College: BA in Astrophysics & East Asian Studies, in Astrophysics PhD program at Berkeley Astrological Sign: Slower Traffic Keep Right Favorite Telescope: Deep Thought: C-14" on a CGE Pro (with On-step upgrade) mount. Favorite Astronomical Object: M92 Globular Cluster, not as famous as nearby M13 this ancient beast is charging Earth at 250,000 mph! Favorite Sci-Fi Character: Star Trek / Captain Janeway Fun Fact About Me: My body is a machine that turns frogs on the ground into frogs in my hand Seth "The Late Night GUY" Years of Astronomy Experience: 15
Education: Davis Technical College AAS Welding & Metallurgy Astrological Sign: Objects in Mirror are Farther Than They Appear Favorite Telescope: Arthur: 180mm Stellarvue Refractor on CGE Pro (with On-step upgrade) mount Favorite Astronomical Object: Trio in Leo, three distinct galaxies visible in the same eyepiece. Favorite Sci-Fi Character: Red Rising / Sevro au Barca Fun Fact About Me: Since I own a business called "That 'Ought Hold Welding" I repair telescopes & mounts as fast the Dark Rangers can break them. |
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Shelby "Driving 6 White Horses" Years of Astronomy Experience: 10
Education: University of Utah, BS Political Science Astrological Sign: Danger! High Voltage. Favorite Telescope: Wall-E, C-11" Nexstar GPS Favorite Astronomical Object: Saturn; because it's a crowd-pleaser Favorite Sci-Fi Character: Star Wars / Yoda Fun Fact About Me: I worked hard to get 7 Utah State Parks designated as Dark Sky Parks by the International Dark Sky Association. Thomas "Mr. DeeP Sky" Years of Astronomy Experience: 9
Education: Penn State B.S. in Astronomy Astrological Sign: Beware of the Dog Favorite Telescope: The Earth, C-14" HD on CGE Pro (with On-Step upgrade). Favorite Astronomical Object: Triffid Nebula (M20) is a mostly gray star-birth nebula in an eyepiece, but rich red & blue even in beginner-astrophotography. Favorite Sci-Fi 'Verse / Character: Star Trek / Spock Fun Fact About Me: I'm now the Telescope Troubleshooter at Dark Sky West where I help other astrophotographers get amazing images while building upon my own catalogue that I started when I was working at DRTT. Thomas "talks-a-Lot" Years of Astronomy Experience: 10
Education: Cornell B.S. Astronomy with Sci-Comm minor; St. Andrews (Scotland). MSc in Astrophysics; Queen University of Belfast (in Astrophysics PhD program) Astrological Sign: Men at Work Favorite Telescope: Agrajag, C-11" on CGE Pro (with On-Step upgrade). Favorite Astronomical Object: Dumbbell Nebula (M27) because its the brightest star death nebula in the northern sky. Favorite Sci-Fi 'Verse / Character: The Iron Giant / The Iron Giant Fun Fact About Me: I am ambidextrous, which means I can do delicate things poorly with BOTH hands. |
