Wednesday, July 15 | 6:00 PM Pacific Time
Join us to learn about and celebrate ten years of the Great Basin Observatory in both our July and August Virtual Speaker programs.
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Great Basin National Park is home to some of the darkest skies in the contiguous United States. Its remote location, high elevation, and limited light pollution create exceptional conditions for viewing the Milky Way, observing celestial events, and conducting astronomical research.
The Great Basin Observatory was established to take advantage of these extraordinary conditions while advancing dark sky preservation, scientific research, and expanding opportunities for education and public engagement.
Over the past decade, the observatory has supported research projects, student learning experiences, and citizen science initiatives that connect people of all ages with the wonders of the universe.
As light pollution continues to grow across much of the country, places like Great Basin National Park become increasingly important. Protecting dark skies not only preserves opportunities for scientific discovery but also ensures that future generations can experience the awe and inspiration of a truly dark night sky, furthering the mission of the national park service.
Meet our Panelists
Paul Gardner
Founder, Observatory Systems
Paul Gardner is the founder of Observatory Systems and a nationally recognized observatory designer and engineer. His career has included work with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Palomar Observatory, and the Giant Magellan Telescope project. Paul played a key role in the design and building of the Great Basin Observatory and for many years supported its operation.
Bradley Mills
Former Lead Astronomy Ranger, Great Basin National Park
Bradley Mills was the Lead Astronomy Ranger at Great Basin National Park from x-2026. Bradley expanded the Park’s nationally recognized astronomy programs, Astronomy Festival, and helped maintain the Park’s designation as an International Dark Sky Park. As a passionate advocate for dark sky conservation, Bradley has helped raise awareness about the impacts of light pollution and the importance of preserving natural darkness for wildlife, ecosystems, scientific research, and human inspiration.
Mike Niggli
Founding Board Member, Great Basin National Park Foundation
Mike Niggli is a founding board member and Board Emeritus of the Great Basin National Park Foundation, and former GBO Director. Along with his wife, Linda, Mike helped make the Great Basin Observatory a reality through his vision, leadership, and philanthropic support. As a passionate advocate for Great Basin National Park, Mike has spent decades supporting projects that protect the Park's natural and cultural resources while expanding opportunities for education, exploration, and scientific discovery.
Dr. Melodi Rodrigue
Professor of Physics, University of Nevada, Reno; Chair, Great Basin Observatory Operations Committee and Education Committee
Dr. Melodi Rodrigue is a Professor of Physics at the University of Nevada, Reno and serves as Chair of both the Great Basin Observatory Operations Committee and the Great Basin Observatory Education Committee. Melodi is dedicated to advancing science education and public engagement. Through her leadership, the observatory has expanded its educational programming and helps to inspire the next generation of scientists and explorers.