Who we are
Agena Astro was founded in 2003 by Manish Panjwani, a lifelong astronomy enthusiast who started the company with just a few products on a shelf in his apartment closet. What began as a small passion project has grown into one of North America’s most trusted astronomy retailers.
From an amateur astronomer's dream...
Manish’s love for the night sky began in India in the early 1980s, when his grandfather gifted him a Sears Discoverer telescope. By the time Halley’s Comet returned in 1986, that spark had become a full-blown passion — one that drew more than 500 people to his apartment terrace to view the comet through his telescope.
After moving to the United States in the early 1990s for graduate school, Manish continued to pursue astronomy but noticed how difficult it was for amateurs to find quality gear and reliable guidance. Determined to change that, he founded Agena Astro in 2003.
Agena Astro founder, Manish Panjwani, on his apartment terrace with his telescopes and dog in 1990
...to one of the world’s leading astronomy retailers
The Agena Astro team
Over twenty years later, that small apartment operation has grown into one of the world’s leading astronomy retailers. What began with a few products on a shelf is now a full-scale company with a dedicated team, a warehouse in Southern California, and customers around the globe.
Though we’ve grown, our mission has never changed: to make astronomy accessible, inspiring, and enjoyable for everyone who looks up. Many of our team members are active astrophotographers and observers, bringing a shared passion and 200 years of combined astronomy experience serving the community.
Today, Agena Astro offers over 5,000 products, backed by expert knowledge and personalized support. Whether you’re setting up your first telescope or perfecting an advanced imaging setup, we’re here to help you explore the universe with confidence.
Thank you for choosing us — clear skies!
Here at Agena Astro, we are astronomers and astrophotographers just like you. Our company was founded in 2003 by avid amateur astronomer Manish Panjwani in an effort to provide quality astronomy gear coupled with top-notch customer service. Since then, Agena has grown to be a robust team with one common goal: to get more people out under the night sky.
As amateur astronomers ourselves, we know the magical feeling of sitting out under the stars. But we also know how frustrating it can be when your new astro gear isn’t quite cooperating. After a long night fumbling with equipment, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not you’ll be taken care of by the company you bought from.
With a combined 150 years of experience serving the astronomy community, our team of experts always has your back. Whether it be a question about a product you’re interested in, troubleshooting gear, or a hassle-free return, you can feel confident when you choose Agena.
Over our 20 years in business and helping people like you, we’ve slowly built up our reputation for being North America’s highest-rated astronomy shop. If you have any questions or suggestions for us, please refer to our FAQ page or contact our expert support team. You can find our media kit here.
Thank you for choosing us, and clear skies!