Past Residencies - Laura-May Abron

Astronomer in Residence Laura-May Abron

Born in France from an American mother and a French father, Laura-May grew up bilingual and in an artistic and multicultural environment, spending her summers in Washington DC and the rest of the year in Paris. She moved to Madrid to pursue her career in art and journalism, before enrolling at the Paris Observatory (OBSPM), to study astronomy and astrophysics, and graduating in 2016. She then moved to Los Angeles, California where she has translated her early passion for multiple fields into a multidisciplinary career in science, music, and the arts. She works at Griffith Observatory.

During her residency, Laura-May offered several kinds of public programs, from theater lectures to constellation talks, solar viewing to Full Moon gatherings. She also spent time creating in-situ paintings of the Canyon at night, as well as filming night-sky-themed music videos. Laura-May is the co-host of “All Space Considered,” and included Grand Canyon’s night skies initiatives in the September 2025 episode, which she recorded during her time in the park.

Laura-May Abron was selected as Grand Canyon's thirteenth Astronomer in Residence.

 

Laura-May and visitors look onwards to the rising full moon at Mather Point.

NPS Photo Michael Quinn

Residency Accomplishments

• Delivered 15 public programs to thousands of visitors.

• Offered 2 Full Moon Gathering Events at Mather Point.

• Conducted a Star Party for the local public school.

• Created an in situ painting of the Canyon at night.

• Filmed an "All Space Considered" episode featuring Grand Canyon night skies.

• Offered several pop-up H-Alpha solar viewing sessions.

• Offered pop-up constellation talks.

 

Laura-May Abron offered several theater talks which were often followed by outdoor constellation talks.

NPS Photo by Rader Lane

 

Laura-May dazzles a park visitor with views of the Full Moon

Photo by GCC Clover Morell

Laura-May Abron conducted Full Moon gatherings at Mather Point. Visitors watched the sunset to the west then turned to the east to watch the moon rise over the Canyon walls. Laura-May offered telescope viewing at the Full Moon rising, as well as public talks about the moon and other early evening objects.

She also offered several pop-up solar telescope viewing sessions, where visitors could look safely through state-of-the-art H-Alpha scopes at the Sun.

Fluent in Spanish, French, and English, Laura-May was able to connect with visitors from around the world, speaking on behalf of Grand Canyon's night skies. Her worldliness and positive attitude attracted hundreds of visitors per night to her events.

As an astronomer at the highly-visited Griffith Observatory, she brought masterful educational techniques and public speaking skills to Grand Canyon visitors, connecting them with one of the darkest night skies in the United States.

 

Laura-May poses with the Full Moon

Photo by GCC Dennis Alvarez

Laura-May bridges the gap between art and science, making the night skies accessible to everyone. Alongside constellation talks and astronomy lectures, she also created paintings of the Canyon at night. She filmed night-sky-themed music videos. She took several creative photographs capturing the beauty and mystery of the skies. Blending the arts with the sciences is one of the primary goals of the Astronomer in Residence Program.

Laura-May is also the co-host of Griffith Observatory's monthly show, "All Space Considered." She featured a section of Grand Canyon's night skies initiatives in the September 2025 episode, drawing from her experience as Astronomer in Residence, and from connecting with the National Park Servive park rangers who are leading the efforts to protect Grand Canyon's natural darkness.

 

Laura-May Abron is the co-host of Griffith Observatory's All Space Considered

 

Media Coverage of Laura-May's Residency

All Space Considered - September 2025