August 2025 — ZWO, a pioneer in astronomical imaging from China, is proud to announce its role as the exclusive title sponsor of the 17th Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition, hosted by the Royal Museum Greenwich.
For the first time in the competition’s 16-year history, a Chinese brand has taken the lead as exclusive sponsor—an important milestone that highlights the global recognition of Chinese innovation in astronomy and imaging technology. Often celebrated as the “Oscars of Astrophotography,” the competition embodies both scientific excellence and artistic imagination.
Founded in 2009, the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition has become the most influential stage for astronomical photography worldwide. The 17th edition drew 5,882 submissions from 1,141 photographers across 68 countries, covering nebulae, planets, the Sun, auroras, and more. Notably, many past award-winning works were captured using ZWO cameras, underscoring the company’s reputation for professional-grade performance.
“The beauty of the universe deserves to be discovered by more eyes and captured by more lenses,” said Wen Jia, CEO of ZWO. “Through our collaboration with the Royal Museum Greenwich, we hope to inspire people around the world to gaze at the stars and experience the profound romance of the cosmos.”
As part of this collaboration, ZWO proudly sponsors the “ZWO Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year” award, which opens to enthusiasts aged 15 and under across the globe. This initiative aims to nurture curiosity among young explorers and expand access to the wonders of astronomy.
ZWO’s Seestar smart telescopes embody this mission. With intelligent, user-friendly design, Seestar lowers the barriers to deep-sky photography—allowing anyone, from beginner to expert, to capture the universe with ease. In keeping with ZWO’s philosophy, “Astrophotography has never been easier,” the company strives to transform the night sky into an open invitation rather than a distant dream.
For ZWO, this partnership is more than sponsorship-it is a cultural dialogue. As a leading enterprise in China’s astronomical industry, ZWO carries the mission of fostering global exchange in astronomy. The Royal Museum Greenwich, with over three centuries of history in navigation, science, and stargazing, adds its legacy of human wonder to the collaboration.
Together, ZWO and Greenwich seek to connect science with art, and technology with imagination—encouraging more people to look up, explore, and be inspired by the vastness of the universe.
Founded in 2011, ZWO is among the earliest high-tech enterprises in China dedicated to astrophotoghraphy. Specializing in CMOS astronomical cameras, intelligent imaging devices, and software, ZWO has built a global ecosystem for astrophotography, serving users in more than 100 countries. Guided by the belief that “Astrophotography has never been easier,” ZWO is committed to helping enthusiasts, educators, and researchers realize their astronomical dreams.
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