We are Stargazers Before We are Makers.
Why did we build the ArcBlue C42? The answer lies in countless freezing nights, wrestling with tangled cables in the dark, and losing hours of sleep just to capture a single frame.
Like you, we are the ones who have shivered in the freezing wind, looking up. We know the grueling climb from beginner to masterpiece. But over the years, we realized something fundamental: we fell in love with the stars, not the struggle.
We wanted a tool that handles the exhausting mechanics and automation for you, leaving you with the pure, uninterrupted joy of the cosmos.
01 /
Over the years, our passion evolved into deep technical expertise. Before building consumer cameras, our team spent years developing custom, highly automated astronomical equipment for scientific-grade research and professional astronomy projects.
We have even co-published research papers with top-tier astronomical institutions.
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C42 is more than a model number.
It is the official IAU (International Astronomical Union) observatory code where our Co-Founder, Song, discovered his first Near-Earth Object (NEO).
It is also a nod to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything.
For us, the ArcBlue C42 is our ultimate answer to the future of astrophotography.
At NAB Show 2026, the C42 Kit met creators, filmmakers, and imaging professionals who were curious about what astrophotography could become when it feels less like a lab setup and more like a creative tool.
The reaction we heard again and again: "This is one of the most exciting, special consumer products we have seen here."
We gathered a group of fanatics to distill our collective obsession with the stars into this all-in-one system.
Co-Founder
The Amateur Astronomer & Serial Entrepreneur
"Every 5.5 years, the asteroid named after me meets the Earth."
Song embodies the perfect balance of an amateur astronomer's passion and a serial entrepreneur's vision. He has successfully founded tech startups, including a company that mass-produced TOF cameras for electric vehicles.
In 2016, he and Dr. Shen co-developed a massive 508 mm (20-inch) F3.8 survey telescope. Operating from the IAU Code C42 observatory, this rig powered the discovery of 8 named asteroids and the first NEO found by Chinese amateurs. The International Minor Planet Center officially named asteroid No. 807098 "Chen Song".
Co-Founder
From Reverse Engineering to Hardcore R&D
"Testing sensors in a fridge really brings back that garage startup vibe."
Dr. Shen's R&D history is a timeline of hardcore tinkering, from organizing astronomy events during the 2009 Solar Eclipse to helping build the Nikon Hacker reverse-engineering community.
He is the mastermind behind our core technology: GWI (Guide While Integrate), validated on an early engineering sample chip from Sony that we still keep as a badge of honor.
Project Manager
The Gearhead Who Understands Your Pain
"I've spent nights shooting in graveyards just to find the perfect dark sky."
Lu has witnessed the entire evolution of astrophotography, from hyper-sensitized film to automated capture boxes.
Because he has experienced every pain point of a photographer's growth, Lu knows exactly what features are gimmicks and what features actually save your night.
Software Lead
The Witness and The Recorder
"The 1998 Leonids looked like fireworks. It remains the most spectacular sight of my life."
Ni's memories are mapped by the stars: identifying the Big Dipper at age 5 and witnessing the 1998 meteor storm.
His experience shaped how the ArcBlue C42 serves as both a welcoming guide for beginners and a powerful workhorse for experts.
We could have launched the C42 through traditional retail channels. But astrophotography is not just a market, it is a community. It is made up of tinkerers, garage scientists, and dreamers who stay awake while the world sleeps.
We chose Kickstarter because we love the raw, collaborative culture here. We do not just want customers; we want co-creators who push the product and give us unfiltered feedback.
Join us on Kickstarter. Let's build the ultimate answer to the universe, together.