About Me

- 5 mins read

Introduction

I’m Zane Landers, an astronomer, writer, and digital marketing/communications specialist. Most of my hobbies are pretty hands-on - whether it’s stargazing, working on my Miata, or roller skating. I have a Master’s degree in marketing from the University of Arizona. I am currently looking for a full-time job position, but I also work as a writer/editor and marketing consultant for TelescopicWatch, EUEC, and CBX Astro (formerly Farpoint/Lumicon) part-time.

Professional Experience

My professional experience spans multiple disciplines. Since 2017, I’ve been building, buying, repairing, and reselling telescopes. This experience led me to work as a writer/editor for TelescopicWatch since 2018, where I review commercially manufactured telescopes and write guides for both beginners and experienced astronomers.

I’ve previously worked as a communications/marketing intern for NSF’s NOIRLab and Universal Avionics. See my resume for more details. I can code (I programmed this website using Hugo, which is not exactly easy), I’m a master of AI prompting, and I have plenty of sales and marketing experience.

Astronomy

Events

I frequently do astronomy outreach events, both on my own and with astronomy clubs. You can often find me set up in downtown Tucson with one of my telescopes showing the Moon or planets to passerby in the same manner John Dobson did. In addition to these public viewing sessions, I offer private stargazing events in the Tucson area for a fee, utilizing my large telescopes to provide breathtaking views of the night sky. Whether for individuals, families, or as a unique experience for corporate events, these sessions offer a personalized journey through the stars. I offer help with setting up and repairing telescopes as well. Feel free to visit my booking page.

Telescope Making

I build my own telescopes, including making my own optics, starting with a 6" f/4 Newtonian in 2018. I have built Dobsonian telescopes as large as 24" and made optics as large as 16" at home. My homemade 14.7" telescope has earned the distinction of being the top post of all time on Reddit’s r/space community, reaching millions of space enthusiasts worldwide.

Online Content

I have done articles for other websites besides TelescopicWatch, and I am a frequent contributor to the Cloudy Nights astronomy forum. I also do astrophotography primarily with a Vaonis Vespera II. I also actively engage with the astronomy community by participating in discussions on the Observational Astronomy Discord server. This platform serves as an invaluable resource for sharing insights and experiences, allowing me to connect with fellow enthusiasts from around the globe. Join the community at discord.gg/astronomy

I am particularly proud of my role in helping to design the Hadley 114mm 3D-printed telescope. Hadley represents a significant step towards making astronomy and telescope making more accessible. Hadley provides great deep-sky views but performs significantly better at high magnifications than many cheaper tabletop Dobsonians, at a cost less than most commercial instruments. You can buy a kit from Jonathan Kissner or print your own. Hadley’s optics can be scavenged from many “hobby killer” telescopes with wobbly mounts, or you can buy the optics wholesale on Amazon or AliExpress. Virtually any 3d printer will allow you to build the structure, and all of the non-optical and non-printed bits can be found at your local hardware store. If you’re located in Arizona, I am able to build Hadley units, as well as variants, at a competitve price. Please contact me. if you are interested in this.

DarkSky Southern Arizona

I currently serve on the board of DarkSky’s Southern Arizona chapter. Preserving the darkness of the night sky is crucial for protecting the environment, as well as both recreational and scientific astronomical pursuits. I moved to Arizona from Connecticut having never seen the natural night sky in all its glory. I work as hard as I can to prevent light pollution from reaching levels like it does there here in Tucson. Everyone deserves to be able to see the Milky Way, and it shouldn’t be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Telescope Restoration & Repairs

I’m passionate about preserving astronomical heritage and have restored telescopes dating back to the 1930s, carefully bringing these historical instruments back to working condition while maintaining their original character.

Over the years, mainly as part of my repair/resale work, I’ve owned more than 490 telescopes and personally built about a dozen instruments from scratch. This extensive experience has given me unique insights into optical design, mechanical engineering, and the practical aspects of astronomical observation. I regularly share this knowledge by teaching mirror-making classes.

Some of the more exciting restoration projects I’ve done include:

  • Fixing a 1931 JW Fecker 90mm refractor, including re-seating the lens, refinishing the legs, and a full repaint/polish with the help of Dana Weisbrot

  • Repainting Celestron C8 #737 with the help of Dana Weisbrot

  • Restoring a 1959 Criterion RV-6 including repolishing the original setting circles and rebuilding the clock drive as well as a full repaint of the tube/mount

  • Refinishing and repainting a Tasco 10TE from the 1950s

  • Repairing a 300-lb Edmund 8" f/8 Newtonian reflector

  • Installing a new corrector plate in a Celestron C11 (which surprisingly worked quite well)

I provide telescope help and repairs as as service. For more information, contact me.

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