ZWO Joins the Texas Star Party for the First Time, Celebrating a Week Under Pristine Skies

From April 22 to 26, 2025, ZWO proudly participated in the legendary Texas Star Party (TSP), held at the Prude Guest Ranch in Fort Davis, Texas. As one of the most renowned star parties in the United States, TSP draws passionate astronomers and astrophotographers from across the country, all eager to gather under the breathtakingly dark Bortle 2 skies to share their love for the cosmos. This year marked ZWO’s very first appearance at TSP, and we were thrilled to become part of this iconic celebration of astronomy.

ZWO Booth

Giveaway Gifts at ZWO Booth

At our booth, ZWO showcased the full lineup of Seestar smart telescopes, including the Seestar S50, the newly released Seestar S30, and the recently announced Seestar S30 Pro — first introduced at NEAF earlier this month. We also demonstrated the exciting new equatorial mount mode available for Seestar users.

ZWO Seestar at TSP

Throughout the event, many visitors stopped by to share their enthusiasm for the Seestar series. Many longtime astrophotographers told us how Seestar has made it easier for them to continue enjoying their passion:

“I used to haul out my big telescope every clear night,” one attendee shared.“But these days, my back isn’t what it used to be. With Seestar, I can quickly set up during a break in the clouds and still enjoy capturing amazing photos without the strain.”

In addition to the Seestar products, we also exhibited ZWO’s signature red gear. Our setup, featuring the FF65 APO refractor, the AM3 harmonic drive mount, and the ASI AIR camera system, attracted plenty of attention. Attendees were impressed by how lightweight and portable the system was — many couldn’t resist picking it up themselves to test it out! When paired with the new EAF Pro (introduced at NEAF 2025), the entire rig can be powered, controlled, and managed with just one or two cables, making for an incredibly streamlined astrophotography experience.

ZWO Red Bundle

One of the highlights of our week was attending Calvin Carter’s excellent talk on ASIAIR. Calvin expertly walked attendees through the platform’s wide range of features and operations, encouraging questions and lively discussions throughout. It was inspiring to see so many users sharing their experiences, tips, and excitement about ASIAIR in such an open and welcoming environment. Even after the talk officially ended, groups of enthusiasts stayed behind, exchanging ideas and forming new friendships. Getting to be part of Calvin’s session was truly one of the most memorable moments for our team.

Calvin Carter’s Talk about ZWO ASIAIR

ZWO Customers Discussing ASIAIR with Our Staff After Calvin’s Talk

Another unforgettable highlight came during Friday night’s door prize giveaway. After days of anticipation, hundreds of attendees gathered in the lecture hall to try their luck. We were thrilled to see the Seestar S30 awarded as one of the final grand prizes — and even more delighted when a young girl won the telescope! Cheers erupted across the hall as she walked up to claim her prize, her excitement lighting up the room. Although she and her family were new to astrophotography, we assured them that Seestar was designed precisely for newcomers, making it easy for anyone to start exploring the night sky. We exchanged contacts with her family and promised to stay in touch for any support they might need on their astronomical journey.

The Lucky Kids and Their Father

Spending a week at Prude Guest Ranch, surrounded by the brilliant, unspoiled night skies, was an unforgettable experience for our team. Seeing the dazzling Milky Way stretch overhead — a sight impossible to witness in the city — and connecting deeply with the passionate TSP community filled us with renewed inspiration. We are incredibly grateful to the Texas Star Party organizers and volunteers who made this incredible event possible.

As we pack up and look forward, we’re already counting down the days to the next star party. Until then, clear skies!

Learn more about Texas Star Party: Texas Star Party. And follow Calvin Carter’s Instagram (@calvinwcarter) if you want to see more stunning astrophotos!