About Me

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, for a reasonable 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.

Book A Star Party

Star Party Bookings

starpartydemo

Experience the night sky like never before with a private star party. Utilizing my large telescopes, I can provide fantastic views of the Moon, planets, star clusters, galaxies, nebulae, and more (most nebulae and galaxies will require reasonably dark conditions for a good view).

Pricing & Details

I have telescopes available up to 22" in aperture as well as a PVS-7 night vision device for viewing nebulae even under fairly poor conditions.

Approximate pricing is as follows:

  • $125 for 1 hour
  • $200 for 2 hours
  • $250 for 3 hours

For events further outside Tucson I am willing to travel for an additional cost.

Pricing is subject to change depending on event specifics.

For more details, please contact me.

Telescope Repair and Assistance

In addition to star party bookings, I offer services for telescope repair and setup. Whether you need help fixing a telescope, or want guidance on using one for a night of stargazing, I am available to assist. Feel free to reach out for more information. For recommendations on choosing telescopes or accessories, I highly recommend visting telescopicwatch.com first before contacting me about further details. If you are in the Tucson or Phoenix area, I am happy to help in person.

For inquiries, please contact me.

Resume

Results-driven Marketing Specialist with 8 years of experience in digital marketing, content strategy, and science communication with focus on aerospace and technology sectors. Proven track record increasing web traffic by 300%+ through SEO optimization and driving 1000+ event registrations through targeted email campaigns. Expertise in B2B/B2C marketing, data-driven decision making, web ads, and cross-functional collaboration with technical teams. Master’s degree in Marketing with specialized knowledge in aviation, aerospace, SAAS, AI, and emerging technologies.

Work History

Marketing Consultant | 2025-Present
Energy, Utility, & Environment Conference (EUEC), Tucson, AZ ● Drive digital marketing strategy that attracted 500+ registrants to virtual conference, exceeding attendance goals by 35% ● Manage HubSpot CRM and marketing automation workflows, optimizing email campaigns that achieved 28% open rate and 8% click-through rate (above industry average) ● Coordinate speaker recruitment and management for 40+ industry experts across energy and utilities sectors ● Develop lead generation programs through webinars and virtual workshops, generating 200+ qualified leads for exhibitors ● Launch and maintain blog, newsletter (1,500+ subscribers), and webinar series to establish year-round engagement ● Create sponsorship packages and marketing collateral that secured $50K+ in virtual exhibitor revenue

Marketing Intern | Q2/Q3 2025
Universal Avionics, Tucson, AZ ● Developed and executed social media strategy for aviation technology company, increasing engagement by 45% across LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter/X platforms ● Created 50+ pieces of short-form and long-form content including blog posts, case studies, and video scripts to promote avionics systems to commercial and defense aviation markets ● Collaborated with engineering teams to translate complex technical specifications into customer-focused marketing materials, improving sales team close rate by 20% ● Conducted competitive analysis of 15+ aerospace companies to identify market positioning opportunities ● Supported product launches for next-generation flight management systems targeting $2M+ revenue goals

Marketing Intern | Q1/Q2 2025
EUEC, Tucson, AZ
● Attracting attendees using HubSpot to optimize email campaigns, social media efforts, and other digital strategies to drive attendee registrations.
● Promoting & coordinating speaker participation for the virtual conference.
● Crafting lead generation strategies through workshops and webinars, giving exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their products and services in an engaging virtual format.

Science Communications Intern | Q1/Q2 2022
National Science Foundation NOIRLab, Tucson, AZ

● Promoted space science research through key communication initiatives.
● Updated Web pages and scheduled announcements of upcoming events.
● Assisted in stakeholder presentations and data dissemination.

Lead Writer/Editor | 2018-Present
iQuese Media (Freelance/part time)

● Review commercially manufactured telescopes targeted towards a range of astronomy enthusiasts.
● Maximize search engine optimization methods to generate first page search results on Google.

Lead Writer/Editor | 2019-2023
Optical Mechanics, Perth, Australia (Freelance/part time)

● Write reviews of commercially manufactured telescopes targeted towards beginners and experienced astronomy enthusiasts.
● Hire new writers, and engage with manufacturers and vendors about their products.

Entrepreneur | March 2017 – Present AstroZane.com/eBay, (Self-employed)

● Founded and manage multi-platform e-commerce business specializing in telescopes and astronomical equipment ● Process 300+ annual transactions totaling $50K+ in revenue through eBay, proprietary website, and marketplace channels ● Maintain 97% positive seller rating through exceptional customer service and quality assurance ● Perform optical diagnosis and minor to major repairs on precision equipment valued up to $5,000 per unit ● Arrange party events for clients with astronomical telescopes and entertainment ● Perform in-person sales, acquisitions, negotiations of high-value items

Skills

● Writer/editor with extensive knowledge of classical and modern history/geopolitics, aerospace, optics, astronomy, and other science/engineering topics
● Code: HTML/CSS, Python, Visual Studio
● Webdev: WordPress, HubSpot, Wix, Hugo (this site was made using Hugo)
● Ads: Meta, Google, TikTok
● Social media: Moderator for Reddit/Discord communities, over 3,000 Instagram followers
● Office: MS Office Suite and G-Suite (I am particularly good with sheets/Excel)
● CRM tools: HubSpot, SalesForce, Tableau
● AI prompting and coding: I mostly use GPT, Claude, and DeepSeek personally
● Hardware: Extensive experience with working with precision small parts such as optics, PC parts
● Fabrication: Trained in stick and MIG welding, cabinetry/woodworking
● Familiar with tech topics such as GDPR and other regulatory aspects ● Marketing Platforms: HubSpot, Marketo, Salesforce, Google Analytics, Google Ads, Meta Business Suite, Hootsuite, Mailchimp, Cvent, ZoomInfo ● Design & Content: WordPress, Wix, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, SharePoint, Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace ● Data & Analysis: Tableau, SPSS, Qualtrics, Excel (Advanced including VBA), Power BI, SQL (basic) ● AI & Emerging Tech: ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, Microsoft Copilot, Prompt Engineering, AI-assisted content creation ● E-commerce & CRM: eBay Seller Hub, Shopify, WooCommerce, CRM systems, CloudResearch Code: Python, JavaScript, HTML proficient (I made this website) ● Other: CAD software, 3D printing, packing/shipping, project management tools (Asana, Monday.com)

Volunteering

In addition to working with the groups below, I regularly do astronomy outreach events on my own.

● Board of Directors - DarkSky Southern Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 2022-Present
● Board of Directors - Reach for the Stars Non-Profit, Tucson, AZ, 2022-23
● Volunteer for the Huachuca Astronomy Club 2022-Present
● Volunteer for the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association 2022-Present
● Volunteered for the Westchester Amateur Astronomers 2019-2021 ● Board of Directors - Fairfield County Astronomical Society, Stamford CT, 2018-2020 ● Volunteered for the Westport Astronomical Society 2016-2021
● Volunteered for the Fairfield County Astronomical Society (defunct) 2017-2020

Education

● Master of Science in Marketing, University of Arizona 2025
● Bachelor of Arts in Communications, University of Connecticut 2022

Articles

● A New Generation Picks Up the Torch - Sky & Telescope, 2018
● These Amateur Astronomers Found Dark Sky Paradise on a Tiny Vermont Hill - TIME, 2018
● Why these people build telescopes from scratch - National Geographic, 2018
● Bringing astronomy to Tucson streets: How this 19-year-old is sharing his love for space - Tucson.com, 2022

Presentations

● On The Shoulders of Giants - 2022 Portland XV Alt Az Workshop Presentation
● A New Generation of Dobsonians - Huachuca Astronomy Club Presentation
● A New Generation of Dobsonians - Okie-Tex 2022 Presentation
● A Thin Mirror 14.7" RFT & Other Projects - Portland XIII Alt Az Workshop Presentation
● The Next Generation of Amateur Telescope Making - AstroAssembly 2019
● Adventures & Techniques In Spray Silvering & Sub-F/4 Mirrors - Portland XII Alt-Az Workshop