Book A Star Party

Star Party Bookings

A star party near Sabino Canyon in Tucson, with guests viewing through a telescope

Experience the night sky like never before. Using my telescopes and years of hands-on observing, I can show you the Moon, planets, star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae in remarkable detail. Every session is tailored to your group — whether that’s a birthday, a corporate outing, a private gathering, or simply a night out under the stars.

I bring excellent telescopes, along with a PVS-14 night vision device that pulls nebulae out of the sky even when conditions aren’t ideal.

Now booking private events for August, September, November, and December 2026.

Why Book With Me?

I’ve been sharing the night sky for over ten years, with experience through DarkSky Southern Arizona, Telescopicwatch, RFTS, and the Stamford Observatory. Here’s what sets my events apart:

  • A genuine, unplugged experience. No computers, no screens — everything is found and tracked by hand at the eyepiece, the way stargazing is meant to be.
  • Plenty to see. I’ll guide you through a wide range of objects in a single night, so there’s always something new to look at.
  • Fun for all ages. Whether your group is kids, adults, or a mix, the experience stays engaging and easy to enjoy — no background knowledge needed.
  • Optional presentation. I can add a short PowerPoint talk to set the scene before you head to the telescopes.
  • Dependable skies. Southern Arizona has some of the clearest, darkest skies in the country, which means far fewer weather cancellations than most places.
  • Built around you. I’ll work with your venue, schedule, and preferences to shape the right event for your group.

Private Star Parties

Approximate pricing for events local to Tucson, for small groups of 20 or fewer guests:

  • $180 — 1 hour
  • $300 — 2 hours
  • $450 — 3 hours

These are base estimates. Final pricing depends on group size, location, and event specifics. For larger groups or a custom experience, get in touch and we’ll work out the details.

Not sure how long you need? If you mainly want to see the Moon and planets, a shorter session is ideal — those targets are bright, so a dark sky isn’t necessary and even an hour delivers memorable views. For fainter deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae, a longer session away from city lights is worth it.

I’m also happy to travel for events outside the Tucson metro area for an additional cost — Southern Arizona has some of the darkest skies in the country, and I know where to find them.

Stargazing at Mount Lemmon Lodge

On select Saturday evenings, I host stargazing events at the Mount Lemmon Lodge, high in the Santa Catalina Mountains above Tucson. Up there the air is thin, the horizon is high, and the sky is genuinely dark — a completely different experience from observing down in the city.

If you’re staying at the Lodge, it’s a perfect way to spend an evening under a truly dark sky with telescopes and a guide on hand. Check the Lodge’s event calendar for upcoming star party dates.

Telescope Repair & Assistance

Beyond star parties, I also help with telescope repair and setup. Whether your scope needs fixing or you’d like hands-on guidance to get the most out of a night under the stars, I’m available to help — in person if you’re in the Tucson or Phoenix area.

Shopping for a telescope or accessories? I’d recommend starting at telescopicwatch.com for reviews and buying guides, then reaching out if you’d like a second opinion.

Contact me to book a session or ask a question.

Star Party FAQ

What will we actually see?

It depends on the Moon, the season, and your location, but a typical session includes some mix of: the Moon in crater-by-crater detail, planets (Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s moons are perennial crowd favorites), colorful double stars, star clusters, and — from darker locations — galaxies and nebulae. With my night vision device, nebulae are visible in real time with an amount of detail that surprises even experienced observers. I plan each session around what’s best placed in the sky on your date.

What if we mainly want to see the Moon and planets?

Then a shorter session is your best value — an hour is plenty, and it doesn’t need to be dark-sky conditions. The Moon and planets are bright enough to look spectacular from a backyard in the middle of Tucson. Save the longer, darker-location sessions for when you want galaxies and nebulae.

What happens if it’s cloudy?

Southern Arizona is one of the most reliably clear places in the country, which is why professional observatories cluster here — weather cancellations are far less common than most people expect. If clouds do threaten your date, we’ll reschedule at no charge. I watch the forecast closely in the days leading up to every event and will keep you informed.

Where do star parties happen?

Wherever works for you: your backyard, a park, a resort, a business, or a wedding venue. For deep-sky viewing I can recommend darker locations around Tucson, and I’m willing to travel well outside the metro area for an additional cost.

Is this good for kids?

Absolutely — kids are often the most enthusiastic observers of the night. Everything is hands-on and screen-free, and I adjust the pacing and explanations to the audience. Star parties work well for birthday parties, scout groups, and school events.

How many people can attend?

My standard pricing covers groups of 20 or fewer. Larger groups are welcome — contact me to discuss logistics and pricing, since bigger crowds benefit from longer sessions so everyone gets solid eyepiece time.

How far in advance should I book?

Earlier is better, especially for weekend dates — and note that the Moon phase matters for deep-sky viewing, so if you want galaxies and nebulae, booking around the new Moon is ideal. I can advise on the best dates for your month when you reach out. I’m currently booking for August, September, November, and December 2026.

Do you provide the telescopes?

Yes — I bring everything: telescopes, eyepieces, night vision equipment, and the expertise to run it all. You don’t need to own or know anything about telescopes. If you do own a telescope and want to learn to use it, I offer help and repair services too.

Resume

Zane Landers

Digital Marketing & Communications Specialist | Content Strategist | M.S. Marketing Tucson, Arizona · LinkedIn · Contact

Results-driven digital marketing and communications specialist with expertise in SEO, marketing automation, and technical content. I’ve driven 300%+ web traffic growth through SEO, generated 1,000+ event registrations through automated email and ad campaigns, and have produced professional technical content since 2018, including for TelescopicWatch and Live Science. I specialize in translating complex technical subjects — aerospace, AI, SaaS, optics, and consumer technology — into content that ranks, converts, and builds trust.

Work History

Marketing Consultant / Customer Service — Farpoint Astro | Remote | March 2026 – Present, part-time

  • Identified manual e-commerce processes and implemented AI-assisted automation improvements, reducing operational overhead
  • Develop marketing strategies for telescope accessories and astrophotography hardware, including hands-on product testing of filters and focusers
  • Manage Shopify, WordPress, and Mailchimp platforms for content creation and digital campaigns
  • Identify and engage influencers to promote the brand through short- and long-form content
  • Provide customer service support, resolving complaints and order questions quickly and professionally

Contributing Writer — Live Science | Remote | February 2026 – Present, freelance

  • Write in-depth telescope and astronomy-gear reviews for a leading consumer science publication, grounded in hands-on field testing
  • Produce SEO-optimized buying guides and how-to articles for a broad general-science audience
  • Translate technical astronomy and astrophotography concepts into clear, engaging content on editorial deadlines

Marketing Intern — Universal Avionics | Tucson, AZ | April – September 2025, full-time

  • Developed and executed social media strategy for an aviation technology company, increasing engagement 45% across LinkedIn, Instagram, and X using Google Analytics insights
  • Created 50+ pieces of content — technical manuals, blog posts, case studies, video scripts — promoting avionics systems to commercial and defense aviation markets
  • Collaborated with engineering teams to translate complex technical specifications into customer-focused materials, improving sales close rates by 20%
  • Conducted competitive analysis of 15+ aerospace companies supporting next-generation flight management system launches targeting $2M+ revenue

Marketing Consultant — EUEC Conference | Tucson, AZ | January – December 2025, part-time

  • Drove digital marketing strategy that attracted 500+ registrants to a virtual conference, exceeding attendance goals by 35%
  • Managed HubSpot CRM and automation workflows, achieving above-industry-average email performance
  • Coordinated speaker recruitment for 40+ industry experts and developed lead-generation webinars producing 200+ qualified leads for exhibitors
  • Created sponsorship packages and collateral that secured $50K+ in virtual exhibitor revenue

Science Communications Intern — NSF NOIRLab | Tucson, AZ | January – June 2022, full-time

  • Supported public outreach for international astronomy research programs with $40M+ annual budgets
  • Updated and maintained 30+ web pages in WordPress, improving navigation and user experience
  • Coordinated promotion of 12+ virtual public events and press announcements reaching 10,000+ stakeholders
  • Collaborated with research teams across six countries to disseminate scientific findings

Lead Writer & Editor — TelescopicWatch (iQuese Media) | Remote | August 2018 – Present, freelance

  • Produce telescope reviews and buying guides for a top-ranked astronomy platform with 1.75M monthly impressions, consistently earning page-one Google rankings for high-intent keywords
  • Helped grow the site to 30,000+ monthly visitors with a 2.5-minute average session duration
  • Collaborate with manufacturers on authentic, data-driven content that drives affiliate revenue
  • Mentor junior writers and enforce brand voice and editorial standards

E-commerce & Events Business Owner — AstroZane.com / eBay | Self-employed | March 2017 – Present

  • Founded and manage a multi-platform e-commerce business specializing in telescopes and astronomical equipment
  • Process 300+ annual transactions totaling $50K+ in revenue with a 100% positive seller rating
  • Plan, promote, and host paid stargazing events at the Mount Lemmon Lodge and other venues, plus private star parties for clients
  • Perform optical diagnosis and precision repairs on equipment valued up to $5,000 per unit

Education

  • Master of Science in Marketing — University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ (2025)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Communications — University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (2022)

Certifications

HubSpot Inbound Marketing (2025) · HubSpot Content Marketing (2025) · Google Analytics Individual Qualification, GAIQ (2024) · Google Ads Search (2024) · Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate (2024) · CITI Program Research Ethics (2022)

Skills

  • Marketing platforms: HubSpot, Marketo, Salesforce, Google Analytics, Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, SEMrush
  • Design & content: WordPress, Hugo (I built this site), Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office 365
  • Data & analysis: Tableau, Excel (advanced, including VBA), Power BI, Looker Studio, SQL (basic), A/B testing
  • AI & emerging tech: ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, Microsoft Copilot, prompt engineering, AI-assisted automation
  • E-commerce & CRM: Shopify, WooCommerce, Klaviyo, eBay Seller Hub
  • Code: Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS — scripting and automation
  • Community & social: Moderator of Reddit and Discord astronomy communities; 3,000+ Instagram followers
  • Hands-on: Precision optics, 3D printing, CAD, stick/MIG welding, woodworking

Volunteering & Nonprofit

  • Board of Directors — DarkSky Southern Arizona, Tucson, AZ (2023–Present)
  • Board of Directors — Reach For The Stars Arizona (2022–2023)
  • Volunteer — Huachuca Astronomy Club / Patterson Observatory (2022–Present)
  • Volunteer — Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (2022–Present)
  • Board of Directors — Fairfield County Astronomical Society / Stamford Observatory, Stamford, CT (2017–2020)
  • Volunteer — Westport Astronomical Society (2016–2021) and Westchester Amateur Astronomers (2019–2021)

I also regularly run independent astronomy outreach events around Tucson.

Press & Media Features

My astronomy and telescope-making work has been covered by national media:

Presentations

Zane Landers

Zane Landers

Digital Marketing & Communications Specialist — Tucson, Arizona

I’m a digital marketing and communications specialist with an M.S. in Marketing from the University of Arizona. I build content and campaigns for technical industries: I’ve driven 300%+ organic traffic growth through SEO, generated 1,000+ event registrations through automated email and ad campaigns, and created marketing content for aerospace (Universal Avionics), federal science research (NSF NOIRLab), conferences (EUEC), and e-commerce brands. My specialty is taking complex technical subjects and turning them into content that ranks, converts, and builds trust.

I’m currently open to full-time marketing and communications roles. View my resume → · Contact me →

The Astronomy Side

Writing is where my career started: since 2018 I’ve been a lead writer and editor for TelescopicWatch (1.75M monthly impressions), and I now also review astronomy gear for Live Science. That work has roots in a lifelong hands-on obsession — my telescope-making has been featured in TIME, National Geographic, and The Guardian, and I serve on the board of DarkSky Southern Arizona.

It’s also a service: I host private star parties across Tucson and Southern Arizona for birthdays, corporate events, and gatherings, plus public stargazing evenings at the Mount Lemmon Lodge. Book a star party →

Based in Tucson, Arizona. Available for marketing and communications roles, freelance writing, star parties, and telescope repair.