NEAF 2025: New astronomy gear galore and industry highlights

NEAF 2025, held April 5-6 at the Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York, delivered one of the most energetic and well-attended events in recent memory. Thousands of amateur astronomers, gearheads, and industry pros packed the show floor for two full days of hands-on demos, exciting product reveals, and non-stop conversation. The NorthEast Astronomy Forum continues to be the destination in the United States for both newcomers and seasoned observers to see what’s next in the world of astronomy.

This year’s event was especially rich with YouTube creators and influencers, adding a new layer of visibility and engagement to NEAF. Popular channels like The Space Koala, AstroBlender, Cuiv the Lazy Geek, and Patreon-favorite Galactic Hunter were seen roaming the booths, filming their top picks and interacting with fans. Whether it was live-streaming product demos or posting booth tours just hours later, these creators helped bring NEAF to a global audience, many of whom watched the show unfold in real time through social media and livestreams.

On the product front, NEAF 2025 didn’t disappoint. ZWO held a well-attended presentation announcing their latest mono camera, the ASI585MM Pro, as well as updated insights on the ASI2600MC Duo and ecosystem integration with the ASIAIR platform. Astrophysics gave a deep dive into their observatory-class mounts, showcasing a legacy of precision engineering and long-term support. Meanwhile, new accessories from Starizona, PlaneWave, and Sharpstar drew significant attention, especially among imagers looking for that perfect reducer or field flattener.

The show wasn’t just about gear, it was also a reunion of the astronomy community. Explore Scientific captured that energy perfectly in their Instagram reel, where their team waved to the camera with infectious enthusiasm. That mix of big announcements and small, joyful moments made NEAF 2025 feel like more than just a trade show. It was a celebration of the hobby, and of the people who make it great.

As always, NEAF offered something for everyone, whether you were there to try out a new mount, meet your favorite YouTuber, or simply soak in the excitement. From booth talks to off-the-cuff interviews, the event delivered a full weekend of unforgettable moments that will ripple across forums and content channels for months to come.

Celestron

Celestron made a strong showing with multiple product announcements:

• RASA 6: A 6-inch f/2.2 Rowe-Ackermann astrograph designed for fast deep-sky imaging, optimized for sensors up to 22 mm.
• Origin Intelligent Observatory: A smart telescope system with built-in imaging, live stacking, and app-based AI enhancements.
• SkyMaster ED Binoculars: New 70mm and 80mm binoculars with ED glass for sharper views.
• Moon Mission Series: Beginner telescopes themed around lunar exploration, including refractors and tabletop Dobs.
   

Sky-Watcher

Sky-Watcher had a particularly impressive lineup:

• HelioStar 76: A 76mm dedicated H-alpha solar telescope.
• HAC125DX "MiniGraph": A 125mm f/2.0 Honders astrograph for wide-field, fast imaging.
• EQ-AL55i Pro: A portable equatorial GoTo mount with a 22lb capacity.
• Wave 100i and 150i: Strain-wave harmonic drive mounts with high-torque, portable performance.
   

ZWO (ASI)

ZWO focused on expanding its smart telescope ecosystem:

• Seestar S30 Pro: An upgraded smart telescope with an IMX585 sensor and wider field of view.
• EAF Pro (preview): An upcoming wireless electronic automatic focuser with higher torque.
• ASIAIR Plus updates: Enhancements to their all-in-one astrophotography control platform.
   

Pegasus Astro

Pegasus Astro launched the SmartEye electronic eyepiece, a device that turns any telescope into a smart scope with live stacking and image display directly inside the eyepiece.

Explore Scientific

Displayed the prototype of the Explorer 130 PH, a 130mm triplet APO refractor targeting high-end imaging.

NEAF 2025: New astronomy gear galore and industry highlights

• Player One, QHYCCD: Showcased new CMOS cameras.
• Lunt Solar, DayStar: Expanded their H-alpha and solar product lines.
• Unistellar and Vaonis: Demonstrated smart telescope systems with software enhancements.
   

Explore Scientific gets the crowd going

One of the most shared moments from NEAF 2025 was a lighthearted Instagram reel by Explore Scientific. Capturing their team waving enthusiastically at attendees, the video summed up the friendly, community-first vibe of the event. It’s these little moments, people laughing, sharing stories, and getting hands-on with gear, that make NEAF more than just a trade show.

Check out Explore Scientific’s reel on Instagram to see their team having fun with visitors at NEAF!

Standout demos and presentations

The show floor was buzzing with live demos and product walkthroughs. Among the most notable was a detailed walkthrough of Astro-Physics mounts, where representatives broke down their engineering philosophy and long-term support ethos.

Also popular was the Starizona booth, where visitors got a look at their latest telescope accessories and reducer systems in action.

Watch the full Astro-Physics NEAF 2025 presentation here: YouTube – Astro-Physics NEAF Talk.

ZWO talks next-gen imaging

ZWO hosted a well-attended presentation on their evolving product line, including an in-depth discussion of their ASI2600MC Duo and the new ASI585MM Pro mono camera. With a focus on speed, sensitivity, and ecosystem integration, ZWO made it clear they’re aiming to support both beginners and advanced imagers alike.

Watch ZWO’s full NEAF 2025 talk here: ZWO YouTube Presentation.

YouTubers and influencers on the scene

NEAF 2025 wasn’t just about brands, it was packed with popular astronomy YouTubers and creators who helped capture the event’s highlights for a global audience. Among them:

• The Space Koala - Known for friendly, clear tutorials and gear reviews, Luca (aka The Space Koala) brought fresh eyes and humor to the show floor.
• AstroBlender - With a focus on visual storytelling, AstroBlender’s booth tours and night sky capture sessions were some of the most engaging coverage.
• Cuiv The Lazy Geek - Always practical and analytical, Cuiv covered NEAF’s imaging setups and mount comparisons.
   

If you couldn’t make it in person, many of these creators have posted full walkthroughs and interviews on their channels.

New products by manufacturer

Telescopes and Optics

Celestron RASA 6

• Type: Astrograph
• Description: 152mm f/2.2 OTA for fast imaging
   

Celestron Origin

• Type: Smart Scope
• Description: 6" imaging telescope with live stacking
   

Sky-Watcher HelioStar 76

• Type: Solar Scope
• Description: Dedicated H-alpha telescope
   

Sky-Watcher HAC125DX

• Type: Astrograph
• Description: 125mm f/2.0 wide-field scope
   

Explore Scientific Explorer 130 PH

• Type: APO Refractor
• Description: 130mm triplet refractor (prototype)
   

Stellarvue SVX90T

• Type: APO Refractor
• Description: 90mm triplet with premium glass
   

Takahashi FOA-60Q

• Type: APO Refractor
• Description: 60mm f/15 fluorite refractor
   

William Optics RedCat 61 II

• Type: Petzval
• Description: Refreshed version with enhanced optics
   

Mounts and drives

Sky-Watcher EQ-AL55i Pro

• Type: Equatorial Mount
• Description: Portable GoTo mount with Wi-Fi
   

Sky-Watcher Wave 100i / 150i

• Type: Harmonic Mount
• Description: Strain-wave mounts for imaging
   

Celestron Origin Mount

• Type: Alt-Az
• Description: Integrated mount for smart scope
   

Losmandy GM811G

• Type: Equatorial Mount
• Description: Mid-range mount with Gemini 2
   

Cameras and imaging gear

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro

• Type: Smart Scope
• Description: All-in-one smart telescope with large sensor
   

ZWO EAF Pro

• Type: Autofocuser
• Description: Wireless, high-torque autofocus motor
   

Pegasus Astro SmartEye

• Type: Digital Eyepiece
• Description: Live-stacking EAA eyepiece
   

QHYCCD QHY533G

• Type: Cooled Camera
• Description: 9MP IMX533 CMOS camera
   

Player One Duo Band Cam

• Type: Guide/Planetary Cam
• Description: Dual-sensor guide camera with OAG support
   

Antlia 3nm Ultra NB

• Type: Filter Set
• Description: High-contrast imaging filters for fast scopes
   

Trends in amateur astronomy

Smart Telescope Growth

Smart telescopes and EAA (Electronically Assisted Astronomy) systems gained traction. The trend is shifting toward easy, app-driven observing and live stacking with minimal technical setup.

Rise of Harmonic Mounts

Strain-wave/harmonic mounts have become mainstream, offering powerful, lightweight options for portable astrophotography.

Faster Optics for Imaging

Many new scopes feature f/2 to f/4 optics, reducing imaging time significantly and enabling high-quality results from suburban skies.

Solar Astronomy Surge

The solar observing market is growing. Sky-Watcher's entry into H-alpha scopes marks a turning point, with more options expected to follow.

Remote and Automated Observing

Products and services aimed at remote imaging and personal observatories saw growing interest. Domes, robotic mounts, and app-based control are making at-home observatories more accessible.

Notable absences

Meade and Orion

Two of the biggest no-shows were Meade Instruments and Orion Telescopes. Both brands were absent due to the shutdown of their parent company in late 2024. Their operations ceased, and their remaining assets and inventory were acquired at auction. While High Point Scientific picked up some of the remaining stock, the brands have not been officially revived. There is industry speculation about potential buyers or reboots, but as of NEAF 2025, their absence was clearly felt.

What astronomers can look forward to in 2025

• RASA 6 and HAC125DX will bring ultra-fast imaging to a broader audience.
• Celestron Origin and Seestar S30 Pro aim to redefine smart telescope usage.
• Wave mounts and EAF Pro will boost portability and automation.
• The SmartEye may become a popular EAA tool for visual observers.
• Solar scopes and filters will continue to expand with the Sun at solar max.
• Expect possible news of a Meade/Orion brand revival by late 2025.
   

NEAF 2025 demonstrated that amateur astronomy is thriving, with a clear shift toward smarter, faster, and easier-to-use equipment. The future looks bright for skywatchers of all levels.