Faculty

Haritina “Hari” Mogoșanu is an astrobiologist, TEDx speaker, analog astronaut and former NASA Ames intern. She co-founded New Zealand’s Star Safari Observatory and established the New Zealand Astrobiology Network. Through science, immersive education and storytelling, Hari explores life’s cosmic origins and inspires people to see our unique living planet and their place within the Universe through a new lens.

Samuel “Sam” Leske is an astrophysicist, former Air Force pilot and co-founder of New Zealand’s Star Safari Observatory. An experienced astronomy educator and communicator, he transforms complex cosmic ideas into vivid, accessible experiences. Through telescopes, immersive visualisation and storytelling, Sam invites audiences to journey across the Universe and return with a deeper understanding of our extraordinary place within it