About Us
Jan Roberson is Maui Stargazing's owner and founder. She is our primary telescope tour guide with 12 years of experience finding deep sky objects at Haleakala Summit without aid of a computerized telescope. Looking into the eyepiece of a telescope is a fascination she loves to share with others, especially students who get their first up-close glimpse of planets, comets, nebulae, and star clusters.
JD Armstrong, PhD. serves as an adviser to Maui Stargazing to ensure our tours are science-based. He's the Technology, Education and Outreach Specialist with the University of Hawaii, Institute for Astronomy, Pukalani and a former astronomy lecturer at University of Hawaii, Maui College. He directs many students in astronomy research projects.
Rob Ratkowski, MS., is a professional photographer by trade whose passion for astronomy landed him a job at Haleakala Summit's Science City as a Laser Range Safety Technician. Rob is certified as a Master Observer by the Astronomical League and is founding president of the Haleakala Amateur Astronomers. Rob supports Maui Stargazing as an astronomy tour guide and with telescope repair.
Cindy Krach, DVM, is an animal surgeon and pet care practitioner, who observes and sketches deep sky objects nightly from her driveway on Crater Road in Kula, Maui. Cindy coordinates an astronomy observing sketch award for the Astronomical League, where she also has earned many observing certificate awards. Check out her sketches on ASOD - Astronomy Sketch of the Day. Cindy supports Maui Stargazing as a technical consultant.
Steve McGaughey is an avid observer and the VP of Haleakala Amateur Astronomers. He has a particular interest in binary star systems and sketching deep sky objects. He has contributed to science by recording separations for many double stars. By day Steve captains a passenger ferry out of Lahaina Harbor for Atlantis Submarines. He serves Maui Stargazing as an astronomy tour guide.
