Observing Our Dynamic Planet
Welcome to the Dynamic Planet exhibition
The Alaska Satellite Facility (ASF) operates a satellite data-acquisition ground station and is the NASA Distributed Active Archive Center of synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The data are critical for the research of earth dynamics. These data provide a unique and striking way to view the earth and the earth’s features as they undergo change.
Floods, earthquakes, and volcanic effects, sea ice fluctuation, coastline erosion, agriculture and forestry expansion and contraction: all these changes to the earth’s surface are either influenced by human activity and/or directly affect the lives of people living across the globe. Learn more about ASF here.
About the exhibition
The core of the exhibit is a selection of more than 50 satellite and airborne data-derived images depicting landforms undergoing change over both short time periods (forests, agriculture, coastlines) and even shorter time periods (earthquakes, volcanoes, floods). The exhibit fosters an appreciation of the beauty of the earth, while celebrating the technology that allows us to have this 21st century view of the planet and how it is changing in ways both within and outside of our control. The exhibit topics allow for a range of hands-on and digital interactive possibilities from operating a model of a satellite ground station, to moving through image time series highlighting particular locations around the globe.
Use the navigation on the left side of this page to explore content from the different thematic sections of the exhibit, including the stories, science, data, and imagery that were featured in the museum space.
Step inside...
The photos above offer a visual glimpse into the ASF Dynamic Planet exhibit experience that was hosted in the University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum of the North, from May through December of 2025. The images help capture the look, scale, and atmosphere of the original installation in the Special Exhibits Gallery.
Explore the 360º view below using your mouse, arrow keys, or a touch screen.
Exhibit Acknowledgments
Roger Topp, Director of Exhibits, Design, and Digital Media
Tamara Martz, Exhibits Design Lead
Jonah Wright, Chief Preparator
Cindy Hickman, Exhibits Student Assistant
ASF Exhibits Committee
Wade Albright, Director
Bill Hauer, Senior Science Consultant
James Milburn, Engineering Supervisor
Rebecca Miller, User Engagement Specialist
Suzy Nicolai, Executive Business Manager
Jessica Ramos, User Engagement Supervisor
UAF Faculty, Staff, and Students
Andy Anderson, Software Engineer
Paul Austin, Ground Station Manager
Jeff Beiderbeck, Principal Engineer
Jade Brown, Ground Station Engineer
Tyler Chase, Software Engineer
Gabe Clark, Software Engineer
Kim Fairbanks, Software Engineer
Nicole Houseweart, Fiscal Technician
Josh Jones III, Ground Station Engineer
Andrew Johnston, Engineering Specialist
Heidi Kristenson, Senior GIS Specialist
Franz Meyer, Chief Scientist
Matt Perry, Software Engineer
De’Jour Reed, Ground Station Engineer
McKade Sorensen, Software Engineer
Stephen Springer Jr, Ground Station Operations Supervisor
Carl Thompson, retired Ground Station Engineer
Rowan Weeden, Software Engineer
Forrest Williams, Senior Research Software Engineer
UAF Faculty, Staff, and Students
Derek Dayan, Engineering Student
Ronni Grapenthin, Associate Professor of Geodesy, Geophysical Institute
Martin Stuefer, Director, Alaska Climate Research Center
Interviews
Wade Albright, ASF Director
Paul Austin, ASF Ground Station Manager
Laura Bourgeau-Chavez, Michigan Tech Research Institute, Senior Research Scientist
Helena Buurman, UAF Vice Chancellor for Research, Research Development Officer
Brian Conway, Arizona Department of Water Resources, Principal Hydrogeologist
Alex Gardner, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Research Scientist
Rudi Gens, ASF Engineering Specialist
Joe Kennedy, ASF Staff Scientist
Heidi Kristenson, ASF Senior GIS Specialist
Rowena Lohman, Cornell University, Research Professor
Zhong Lu, Southern Methodist University, Shuler-Foscue Professor of Geophysics
Thomas Logan, ASF Engineering Specialist
Franz Meyer, ASF Chief Scientist
Forrest Williams, ASF Senior Research Software Engineer
Simon Zwieback, UAF, Assistant Professor
UAMN Exhibits Planning Committee
Patrick Druckenmiller, Museum Director
Aelin Allegood, Development Officer
Jennifer Arseneau, Director of Education and Public Programs
Della Hall, Fine Arts Collections Manager
Angela Linn, Senior Collections Manager for Ethnology and History
Christina Parks, Director of Visitor Services
Roger Topp, Director of Exhibits, Design, and Digital Media
Media Partners and Contributors
Advance Printing . Grayling Media . PWP Photography . WebsEdge . WhiteWall Photo Lab
In gratitude, thank you to the Members of the UA Museum of the North, museum visitors, and the residents of Alaska’s many communities, without whom these efforts would not have been possible.
ASF extends our heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals, organizations, and supporters who made this exhibit possible. Your contributions have helped us share the rich stories that shape our community’s legacy. Together, we inspire future generations to explore, learn, and connect with the world around them. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey.
