GO STARGAZING LTD

What GO STARGAZING LTD does

Go Stargazing is a UK-based not-for-profit organisation founded in 2019 and headquartered in Bristol, operating the web platform gostargazing.co.uk and free Android/iOS mobile apps. The platform functions as a discovery and aggregation layer for amateur astronomy in the United Kingdom, listing dark sky sites, observatories, Dark Sky Reserves and Parks (e.g., Cairngorms, West Penwith), astronomy society events, and dark-sky-friendly accommodation under its Stay and Gaze directory. Its technical surface comprises a website with interactive maps and calendars, a GPS-enabled mobile app that returns events near a user's location (approximate accuracy 1.1 km), a light pollution map built on NASA/NOAA VIIRS satellite data (2024 capture), and a dark sky calendar with moon-phase indicators. The site also publishes educational content including telescope buying guides and event coverage. The platform is maintained by a single operator, Neill Sanders, with a stated headcount of 1–10.

The business model is freemium to end users, with no charge for the website, mobile app, or event discovery; monetisation comes solely from affiliate referral commissions. Telescope, binocular, and accessory sales routed through First Light Optics generate equipment referral income, while partnerships with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines (Northern Lights and eclipse cruises, 5% discount code) and experience voucher providers generate referral income from bookings. Strategic partners include Dark Sky Wales (Brecon Beacons guided sessions), Cherrie Photography (Cornwall astrophotography workshops), the International Dark Sky Association (designation body), and UK Eclipse (2026 partial solar eclipse resource). Recent product additions include a dedicated Seestar Smart Telescope category (ZWO S30/S50, November 2025) and the Stay and Gaze accommodation directory (December 2025). The organisation is registered with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ZA757598) and has no disclosed investors, funding rounds, or institutional backing.

Name

GO STARGAZING LTD

Legal name

Go Stargazing

Website

https://gostargazing.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Go Stargazing is a UK not-for-profit that operates a free web and mobile platform aggregating dark sky locations, astronomy society events, and dark-sky-friendly accommodation for amateur astronomers, families, and dark-sky tourists across the United Kingdom.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Astronomy Discovery Platform

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Night Tours (Illuminations, Ghost & Legends) (THAJAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Glamping Resorts (Luxury Tents, Domes, Yurts) (THAGAOAC)

Keywords

• Stargazing event discovery
• Dark sky locations
• Astronomy community platform
• Telescope affiliate retail
• Astro-tourism services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Affiliate commissions from telescope and equipment referrals: Go Stargazing earns affiliate commissions when users purchase telescopes and accessories through recommended supplier links (First Light Optics). The site recommends specific telescope models including Dobsonians, smart telescopes (Seestar S30/S50), and accessories, with referral tracking via affiliate links.
2. Affiliate referrals for stargazing experiences and cruises: Referral income from promoting Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Northern Lights and Solar Eclipse cruises, stargazing experience vouchers, and eclipse glasses. The company offers discount codes for cruise bookings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Go Stargazing operates a free web and mobile platform that aggregates UK dark sky locations, observatories, astronomy society events, and dark-sky-friendly accommodation. The service integrates VIIRS satellite light pollution data, moon phase calendars, and GPS-based search to help users discover stargazing opportunities. The organization generates revenue through affiliate commissions from recommended telescope suppliers (First Light Optics) and experience providers (Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, stargazing experience vouchers).

Product overview

Go Stargazing is a not-for-profit UK stargazing discovery platform offering multiple interconnected products: a comprehensive website with maps of observatories, dark sky sites, and astronomical events; a free mobile app for Android and iOS enabling GPS-based event and location discovery; the Seestar Smart Telescope (S30/S50) sold through partner First Light Optics; telescope buying guides for beginners; and a 'Stay and Gaze' accommodation directory. The platform also features an event calendar, dark sky calendar, astrophotography workshops, and sells eclipse glasses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Go Stargazing Website Platform A free web platform providing UK-wide maps of observatories, dark sky sites, astronomical events, and telescope buying guides for amateur astronomers, families, and dark sky tourists.
• Go Stargazing Mobile App Free mobile application for Android and iOS that retrieves nearby stargazing events and dark sky locations based on the user's GPS coordinates, with approximate location accurate to within 0.68 miles / 1.1 km.
• Seestar Smart Telescope (S30/S50) Smart telescopes (S30 and S50 models) that integrate optics, a digital camera, a motorised mount, and built-in Wi-Fi, operated through a smartphone or tablet app for automated night sky imaging. Marketed as making astronomy accessible for beginners and children.
• Solar Eclipse Glasses Solar eclipse glasses sold to UK consumers for safe viewing of the 12 August 2026 partial solar eclipse and other solar events.
• Stargazing Experience Vouchers Gift vouchers and experience packages for guided stargazing sessions and astro-tourism experiences, including partnerships with Dark Sky Wales and other experience providers.
• Northern Lights and Stargazing Cruises Affiliate-promoted cruise itineraries with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines featuring on-board astronomy sessions and Northern Lights or Solar Eclipse viewing, with a 5% Go Stargazing discount code.

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fred. Olsen Cruise LinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGo Stargazing provides on-board astronomers and stargazing sessions for Fred. Olsen Northern Lights and Solar Eclipse cruise itineraries. Go Stargazing promotes cruises with a 5% discount code for customers booking through the platform. The partnership combines cruise tourism with astronomy education and dark sky viewing at sea.
• First Light OpticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended independent UK telescope supplier. Go Stargazing links to First Light Optics product pages with affiliate referral tracking. Recommended products include Dobsonian telescopes (Ursa Major, Sky-Watcher Skyliner, Stella Lyra ranges), Seestar smart telescopes (S30, S50), Celestron Moon Mission, and accessories. Go Stargazing earns affiliate commission on referred sales.
• Dark Sky WalescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDark Sky Wales runs guided stargazing sessions in the Brecon Beacons, helping visitors identify planets, constellations, and deep-sky objects under protected dark skies. Go Stargazing promotes these events as part of its UK-wide event discovery.
• Cherrie PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCherrie Photography runs Cornwall astrophotography workshops featured on the Go Stargazing platform. Workshops are listed as events in the West Penwith Dark Sky Park.
• International Dark Sky AssociationminorOthersThe International Dark Sky Association awards Dark Sky Reserve and Dark Sky Park designations to locations featured on Go Stargazing. The platform references IDA designations (e.g., Gold Tier status for Cairngorms Dark Sky Park, West Penwith Dark Sky Park designation in December 2021).
• UK EclipseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGo Stargazing partners with the UK Eclipse website (ukeclipse.com) which serves as a resource for the astronomy community about the 12 August 2026 partial solar eclipse visible from the UK. Cross-promoted on the Go Stargazing homepage.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Go-Astronomy.com: Amateur astronomy resource site with event listings, dark sky location guides, and educational content for hobbyists. Closely comparable scope to Go Stargazing's content-and-discovery offering, though more US-centric.
• Heavens-Above: Long-running site and mobile companion for tracking satellites, ISS passes, and night-sky objects by location. Directly comparable as a free, GPS-based night-sky discovery tool used by amateur astronomers to plan observing sessions.
• Stellarium: Open-source planetarium software for planning and identifying night-sky objects. Comparable as a free, hobbyist-facing tool that helps amateur astronomers decide where and what to observe, complementing Go Stargazing's location/event discovery.
• Night Sky Network: NASA/Astronomical Society of the Pacific-run amateur astronomy event finder. Directly comparable to Go Stargazing in aggregating public stargazing events and astronomy club meetings for hobbyists, though it is US-focused and operated as a non-profit program.

Others

• DarkSky International: International dark-sky advocacy body that designates Dark Sky Reserves and Parks — the same framework Go Stargazing uses to curate its site directory. Not a direct competitor but an ecosystem enabler whose designations drive Go Stargazing's content value.
• First Light Optics: UK telescope and astronomy equipment retailer that is Go Stargazing's primary affiliate partner. Comparable ecosystem participant — a specialist astronomy retailer monetising the same amateur astronomer audience — rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Sky & Telescope: Established amateur-astronomy publication with observing guides, event coverage, and equipment reviews. Comparable audience and editorial remit to Go Stargazing, but operating at a much larger, international scale as a multi-platform incumbent.
• EarthSky: Long-running astronomy and Earth-science news/education site with daily observing guides, meteor-shower coverage, and event alerts. Comparable in serving amateur astronomers seeking 'what/when/where to look' content at a much larger global scale.
• Time and Date: Broad reference site covering astronomy, sunrise/sunset, moon phases, and weather. Comparable in providing planning data (moon phases, darkness windows) that amateur stargazers consult, though it is a generalist rather than an astro-tourism specialist.

Regional players

• Visit Scotland – Dark Sky Scotland: Scotland-focused dark-sky tourism initiative promoting designated Dark Sky Parks and stargazing experiences. Comparable in curating dark-sky sites and astro-tourism experiences for a specific geography, rather than competing in the same territory.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/gostargazing
• Facebookfacebook.com/gostargazinguk
• Instagraminstagram.com/gostargazing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/go-stargazing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GO STARGAZING LTD