[UPDATE #9] Meet two of TL’s most trusted voices - and their telescopes
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Hello, everyone!
As we edge closer to the public launch of Telescope Live 4, development is moving steadily through its final phase.
The migration to our live environment is nearly complete, and we’re preparing to enter the Release Candidate stage - a final round of testing with a smaller group of users before we open the doors to everyone.
But while the platform is being polished behind the scenes, something else is already taking shape: the Telescope Live Partner Network.
And today, we’re introducing two new names that many of you will already know.
Two Trusted Educators, Now Behind the Telescopes
For years, Nik Szymanek and Peter Jenkins have been key contributors to the Telescope Live community and to the astrophotography world.
They’ve recorded countless tutorials, created some of our most appreciated educational content, and helped thousands of users sharpen their skills - both on and off the platform.
Now, they’re stepping into a new role: becoming Telescope Live Partners and contributing their own datasets to the growing TL4 archive.
Meet Nik Szymanek
Nik is a name well known in the astrophotography world. He’s been imaging since the 1990s and was among the early adopters of CCD cameras, becoming a reference point for deep-sky imaging across Europe.
To overcome the challenges of UK weather and light pollution, Nik - together with fellow imager Ian King - established a remote observatory at IC Astronomy in southern Spain. The site offers Bortle 1–2 skies, high elevation, and a high number of clear nights per year - perfect conditions for deep-sky astrophotography.
Nik’s current imaging system is a versatile wide-field setup that’s ideal for colorful nebulae and large-scale structures:
- Telescope: Takahashi FSQ-106
- Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MM Pro
- Filters: LRGB + SHO
- Mount: Paramount MX
- Location: Oria, Spain
Meet Peter Jenkins
Peter is a veteran astrophotographer with a strong background in both imaging and outreach. He began photographing the night sky over a decade ago and has since earned a NASA APOD, been shortlisted for the Royal Observatory’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year, and published images and reviews in BBC Sky at Night, Astronomy Now, and Sky & Telescope.
He’s also been a featured speaker at conferences including the Advanced Imaging Conference in San Jose, and has delivered dozens of tutorials and lectures both in the UK and abroad.
Peter’s imaging setup combines speed, field of view, and precision, making it an ideal choice for users who enjoy crisp, well-calibrated datasets that are easy to work with right out of the gate:
- Telescope: Officina Stellare RH200
- Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
- Filters: LRGB + HSO
- Mount: Pegasus NYX 101
- Location: Nottinghamshire, UK
How these Partners will contribute to the TL Archive
Nik’s setup is perfectly tuned for colorful, wide-field deep-sky targets - captured under premium skies and processed with an expert’s eye.
Peter’s configuration is built for sharp, fast acquisition and precision - ideal for users looking to process broadband and narrowband datasets with depth and clarity.
And because both of them have already helped shape TL’s educational library, you’ll not only be able to process their datasets, but you’ll know how to get the most out of them.
Next week, we’ll spotlight two more Partner Network contributors.
Until then, stay tuned and as always, thank you for being part of this incredible community.
Clear skies