Stay tuned for announcements after the first of the year. Looking forward to seeing you there!

It always surprises me how many people cannot identify the common animal and plant species in their area. Worse yet, I suspect that, for some folks, this may be symptomatic of a general ignorance about the life around them—about its complexity and its simplicity, its resilience and its fragility, and about its beauty. I’ve been studying biology for a while now—the science of life has been my academic focus for about six years—and I have not, and predict that I will not, run out of things to fascinate me. The group I am writing on behalf of aims to change this.

This post is the first of (hopefully) many intended to communicate this fascination. It will serve as a chronicle of the life and times of a small bio-centric college student club with a peculiar predilection towards a medium-sized clade of flying reptiles. This particular group, thought to have diverged from Theropod dinosaurs during the late Cretaceous period, has long captivated human attention, due to its members’ above mentioned penchant for flinging itself through the air and their aurally pleasing mating habits. This unusual group is designated as class Aves, or, more colloquially, as the birds.

The OSU Bird Nerds

But I suppose I should start, as most stories should, at the start. The universe was created roughly 13.77 billion years ago (according to most theories). About six months ago, or somewhere around 13,769,999,999 years after the creation of the universe, I was meandering around at opportunity fair at my college, Oregon State University, while waiting for my choir to begin its outreach activities. When I walked by a table belonging to the “OSU Bird Nerds,” I took notice. After all, I’d been interested in bird watching for a year or two by that point, and I’d been a nerd for my entire life. Still, I was a college student—too much interest in something could be a sign that someone was, how do they say, “uncool.” I pocketed a flyer and casually walked on, icicles dripping from my shoulders.

I examined the flyer later, in the secrecy and safety of my room. It advertised weekly bird watching, ornithological outreach, and volunteering and education opportunities. It also advertised free pizza. I was smitten. I attended the meeting, joined the club, and then became an officer. I found the club to be appropriately named: they, and subsequently we, were indeed a collection of bird nerds, dedicated to observing, learning, and teaching about the flying (and sometimes un-flying) multitudes. Since then, we’ve been involved with our local Audubon chapter, conducted surveys of local raptor populations, sold cookies for science (aka club funds), and have seen many, many birds.

However, the other officers and I realized that our club had a problem. We were poor. Furthermore, we were human. Without substantial genetic manipulation, we were unlikely to ever be able to see the white band on the first primary of a Lesser Goldfinch at a hundred yards. As none of us own a sequencer, we decided we would have to settle for optics. Most of us had a pair of binoculars, but since our group was open to all, we still had too few to go around on our larger, more popular trips. I’ve been an amateur astronomer for a while, and have used, and liked, Celestron optics for a while. I suggested that we send them and a few other similar companies requests for support. Celestron answered with an offer. They give us quality optics; we write them a blog post about our activities every month.

This seems like win-win to me. Celestron gets an excellent way to conduct science outreach; we get the optics we need to ensure our club is welcoming to new members. Plus, this blog will give us a space to communicate the life we witness and the science we participate in. We get a chance to show you that the next generation of scientists are active and growing, and, more importantly, we get a chance to communicate our fascination with our world.

So, in conclusion for this first month: not much science yet, just lots of narrative and introduction. I hope you’ll be willing to stick with us: I promise our next report will focus on the stuff that matters. We’ve just began participating in a series of surveys on one of the few remaining naturally-nesting Purple Martin populations in North America. Next month we should have pretty pictures of the subjects and tales of our riveting adventures (and accompanying nerd-outs). Until then, be sure to enjoy spring and the beautiful South American migrants it brings.

-William Hemstrom
Undergraduate in Zoology,Oregon State University
Celestron Contributing Blogger 

A comet dazzled the sky for the past few months, C/2011 L4 PANSTARRS. PANSTARRS was discovered under a comet search campaign conducted by The Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS). The first Pan-STARRS telescope, PS1, is located at the summit of Haleakalā on Maui, Hawaii, and went online on December 6, 2008, under the administration of the University of Hawaii. PANSTARRS is a non-periodic comet, which means that it will never return back to visit us.

In the southern hemisphere, it was accompanied by C/2012 F6 (Lemmon). Lemmon is a comet having a green coma and a long beautiful tail. It is a periodic comet with long period. 

Comet Lemmon and PANSTARRS together. Image credit: Las Campanas Observatory in Chile.

Comet LEMMON and PANSTARRS together, Image Credits: Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. 

PANSTARRS was seen from the northern hemisphere from 5^th March. In the first week of April the comet had a press conference with M31 (Andromeda galaxy) which was covered by a large number of astronomers. 

PANSTARRS with M31 and M32. Image Credit & Copyright: Pavel Smilyk.

PANSTARRS had put a great show on the big screen and also offered a great opportunity to the astrophotographers. This was just a practice session before we get the giant ISON gracing the night sky.

-Prafull Sharma
Celestron Contributing Blogger 

Torrance, CA (April 24, 2013) –Celestron, the world’s #1 telescope maker, wants to know: where do you Celestron?

Celestron is thrilled to introduce Where Do You Celestron, our yearlong campaign that brings our multiple industry-leading products to life through the vibrant personalities of the creators and users behind the optics. The campaign was officially unveiled at the 2013 Northeastern Astronomy Forum (NEAF) at Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York, with video interviews detailing how Celestron employees actively incorporate our products into their daily lives.

“With print ads, videos, social media, and a constantly updated website, Where Do You Celestron is truly an all-encompassing experience designed to excite and inspire,” said Dave Anderson, President and COO of Celestron. “We can’t wait to read all of your submissions detailing how a Celestron telescope, sport optic, or microscope has enriched your life.” 

The campaign is centered at WhereDoYouCelestron.com, where visitors can watch videos, read bios, and explore an interactive map. It’s up to you to populate the map with your stories from around the world, whether it’s stargazing with an AstroMaster telescope in a national park, spotting a rare bird through a pair of Granite binoculars, or watching a child’s face light up at seeing an amoeba under the InfiniView digital microscope.

The first 500 people to make their mark on the map will automatically be entered to win Celestron’s award-winning SkyProdigy 6 telescope. Visit WhereDoYouCelestron.com for more information and to share your story.

About Celestron

Celestron is a leading designer, manufacturer, and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, GPS devices, binoculars, spotting scopes, and microscopes. Since manufacturing its first telescope in 1960, Celestron has grown to become the world's #1 telescope maker, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology. Celestron’s extraordinary products continue to receive numerous industry and consumer media accolades, adding to an already impressive list that includes awards for product innovation from Reader's Digest, Popular Science, PC Magazine, Popular Mechanics, the Consumer Electronics Association, and more. Celestron is a privately-held company with corporate offices and manufacturing facilities in Torrance, California.

Media Contact:

Michelle Meskill, Marketing Manager
mmeskill@celestron.com
(310) 328-9560 x205

Lauren Stracner, Assistant Marketing Manager
lstracner@celestron.com
(310) 328-9560 x261

###

Exciting Two-Day Event Featuring:
More than 140 on-site vendors
World-renowned speakers
Astronomy workshops
Daily solar observing
STARLAB planetarium shows
Getting Started classes for beginners
Space & Astronomy events for kids

Special Events:
See the Amazing Sun at the Solar Star Party

The IDA Regional Meeting
Rockland Astronomy Club is proud to sponsor the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) regional meeting at NEAF this year. In addition to their booth next to the Rockland Astronomy Club, IDA will have presentations from leaders in the dark sky movement as part of the Saturday program. Admission to the IDA program is free to IDA members and non-members can join IDA on-site for $35.

“I bought it just to be a visual observer and I didn’t realize that people were attaching cameras to telescopes and taking pictures. It just never dawned on me,” John said from his home outside Dallas, Texas. “But once I bought my telescope and started reading Sky & Telescope and Astronomy magazine, I started noticing these photos that amateurs had taken. I had a Nikon D80 at the time, and I attached it to my Celestron and took a picture of M42, which is probably how most people get started. It blew me away that an amateur, an average guy, could take a camera he bought down the street, put it on a telescope that he bought down the street and take pictures of objects in space. And that was it—I’ve been horribly addicted ever since. “

John’s addiction has paid off. Within 5 years of capturing his first astroimage, he’s reached impressive heights in the field of imaging. His work has been featured on the pages of Sky & Telescope, and Astronomy, the very publications that first inspired him to get into the hobby. He’s also been featured on NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day.

John is no stranger to big success. His 2001 animated film Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, the product of his childhood love for science fiction, landed him an Oscar nomination. But the Hollywood workload, not to mention the light pollution, kept him away from stargazing.

Once John wrapped production on other hit movies like Ant Bully, he moved back to Texas and slowed the breakneck pace of his career. There, under darker skies, John dove headfirst into his newfound passion. “It’s an extension of a lot of interests of mine: photography, computers, and the outdoors. It’s blending science and art, my two loves my whole life.” 

A film school graduate and a trained artist, John has a significant leg up on other astroimagers.

“I’ve been using Photoshop since version 1.0,” he admitted. 

His technical background meant that processing images—the biggest challenge for most new imagers—was the easy part.

“But I didn’t know astronomy, how to set up a telescope and polar align it, and how the sky worked really. So my education was learning the astronomy part of it,” he said. 

After his first image of the Orion Nebula, John started to cast his net wider. Using a Celestron telescope with Starizona’s Hyperstar accessory, John now creates beautiful, wide-field mosaics full of many different celestial objects.

“I really like doing large wide fields of the sky for a couple of reasons,” John explained. “For one, you can group several interesting objects into the same frame, so you have a lot more places you can go with composition. It’s also more interesting because you can see how these objects relate to each other.”

John cites kingpins of the astroimaging world as his inspiration, including Robert Gendler, Jay Ballauer, and Rogelio Bernal Andreo, who are frequently featured on the pages of astronomy magazines. But he also draws his inspiration from more artistic sources. 

“It’s like landscape photography,” John explained. “Like Ansel Adams taking these large structures and using tone and contrast to force the viewer’s eye into places he wanted it to go.”

Perhaps that’s what makes John’s images so compelling. He brings a level of artistry that is hard to match in this highly technical field. He’s constantly pushing the boundaries of the data he’s captured on a cold night at his Bucksnort Observatory. He’s quick to remind us that, at its core, astroimaging is art. 

“What we [astroimagers] do is considered ‘pretty pictures’; it’s not scientific data. So we have the creative freedom to emphasize or deemphasize. Two people can image the same target and their images will be very different, stressing different components,” John said. “If everyone’s picture turned out exactly the same, it would be boring.”

-Andrea Tabor
Online Marketing Coordinator

Chaffey searches for planets using some very special tools, the French space agency’s CoRoT satellite and the Faulkes Telescope North, a research telescope in Hawaii.

From its position above the atmosphere, the CoRoT satellite identifies stars that are due for a potential planetary transit. Then, when the transit is predicted to occur, Cameron Chaffey images the star using the Faulkes Telescope.

“A star will get fainter as an exoplanet begins to transit the star.  This is because the planet blocks some of the light,” Chaffey explained in his research paper. “The light intensity of a star with a transiting exoplanet gets weaker as the exoplanet begins to enter the disk of the star.”

Chaffey carefully measures the apparent magnitude of the star, looking for the dimming and brightening pattern indicative of a planetary transit. If the data matches a transit, he’s discovered an exoplanet. If not, he reports back to the CoRoT team that the reading from the satellite was either a false positive or a binary star.

But there’s something we haven’t told you about this researcher: he’s in the ninth grade.

We met Cameron at an unlikely place, the Los Angeles County Science Fair. Cameron’s important work hunting for planets was the subject of his ninth grade science fair project. He analyzed the data from one suspected planetary transit and determined that there wasn’t a planet orbiting this particular star. But he hopes, one day, to discover a planet. 

This year, Team Celestron presented the first-ever Celestron Astronomical Studies Award to a student at the science fair. We certainly weren’t expecting to see a project as advanced or impressive as Cameron’s! We were delighted to present him with the award, along with a NexStar 130SLT telescope for backyard observing.

We had a great time meeting Cameron at the fair, and invited him to visit Celestron HQ for a VIP tour. While our telescope won’t help him discover planets, we hope it will provide him with hours of enjoyment. We look forward to his future discoveries!

-Andrea Tabor
Social Media Coordinator 

Comet PANSTARRS won’t pass by Earth until this spring, but it’s already showing some unusual properties. Researchers have observed a bright halo of material surrounding the comet, a signal that it’s actively producing dust. This is great news for backyard astronomers, since dust and ice are what contribute to comets’ beautiful, long tails! 

If these early observations hold true, PANSTARRS should dazzle the eye as it passes around the Sun. Its tail could stretch across a swatch of sky the size of your hand! Of course, the question on everyone’s mind is, “When can I see Comet PANSTARRS?” 

Northern Hemisphere Observers

By early March, Comet PANSTARRS begins to get exciting for observers in the Northern Hemisphere! If you live at very low latitude, such as near the equator, the comet should be visible to you from about March 7th to 12th. It will be low on the sunset horizon in the constellation of Pisces. 

If predictions hold true, Comet PANSTARRS will then take off toward the northern constellations and become visible to viewers in the United States. By March 20th, it reaches the edge of the border between Pisces and Andromeda, still bright enough to spot with the naked eye. Of course, it will appear even more dazzling in a telescope like our SkyProdigy 130, NexStar SLT 130, or LCM 90.

As it moves further away from the Sun, and passes through the constellation Andromeda, Comet PANSTARRS will begin dimming slightly each night. By the beginning of April, it will have faded significantly, becoming dimmer than the Andromeda Galaxy, but still very visible in small telescopes like the FirstScope or TravelScope 70. You will also be able to view the comet with SkyMaster or UpClose binoculars. However, don’t delay your observations because the Moon will interfere by mid-month! 

At the beginning of May, the Moon will be absent from the early evening skies and you’ll find the comet located about two hand spans above the north/northwest horizon after sunset in the Cassiopeia/Cepheus region. By now, it’s dimming fast and will require larger binoculars or mid-sized telescopes for observation. Finally, at the end of May, PANSTARRS reaches the northernmost point in its journey and will require a larger telescope to be seen. 

Bye, bye PANSTARRS? Not quite. Although the comet continues to fade more and more each night, it will also become circumpolar. This is good news for observers! In early June, you’ll be able to catch the comet either after sunset in the north/northwest or in the north/northeast before sunrise. At the beginning of June 2013, PANSTARRS will be a faint, fuzzy object in the Ursa Minor region. If you have a larger telescope like our CGE PRO 1400 HD, you should be able to continue to follow the comet for at least another two months.

No matter where you are or what kind of equipment you have, you can enjoy PANSTARRS voyage through the solar system. But even as PANSTARRS fades away, a bigger and brighter comet begins its journey across the night sky—Comet ISON!

Click here to download a printable PDF of this article!

-Tammy Plotner
Celestron Comet Expert 

But it wasn’t an asteroid—it was a comet.

This five-mile-wide traveler from the Oort Cloud has an ancient track record. It isn’t Comet Lemmon’s first trip through our Solar System, but it has been about 11,000 years since its last visit. Right now Comet C/2012 F6 is just about the same distance from Earth as we are from the Sun and it’s far from ripe. As a matter of fact, you might even say it’s green!

So why is Comet Lemmon green? It’s all in the gas. As the comet sublimates in the solar wind, it releases the volatiles which were once frozen in the nucleus. One of these volatiles is cyanogen, a colorless, toxic gas. The other is diatomic carbon, a carbon vapor commonly found in comets, stellar atmospheres, and the interstellar medium. When in the near-vacuum environment of space, both of these gases appear green when illuminated by sunlight—and right now, C/2012 F6 is putting on a vibrant display! As it approaches the Sun, Comet Lemmon is expected to become far more visible and display a short tail.

But where is it located for those who wish to view?

At February’s mid-point, Comet Lemmon should be putting on a spectacular show in the Southern Hemisphere. Observations confirm that it has become far brighter than expected, glowing along just below unaided eye visibility at roughly magnitude 7—readily visible in binoculars and small telescopes. It will be located in constellation of Octans and be a southern circumpolar object for a short period of time. However, it is moving rapidly: if Lemmon continues its brightening trend, it should be easily seen with the unaided eye as it flies into the constellation of Phoenix by March 7 and then into Sculptor on March 17. Then it’s on towards the Sun for its closest approach—perihelion—on March 24. At this time it will be about the same distance from the Sun as the planet Venus and will be hidden from view by the Sun’s glare, but about to cruise into new territory.

While the nights will seem to move slowly, Comet Lemmon will be moving quickly northward. By mid-April, the comet will have scooted into the constellation of Pisces, emerging ahead of the sunrise glow. On April 19 our “pie in the sky” should cross the celestial equator, on its way to becoming visible to the Northern Hemisphere. C/2012 F6 will remain located in Pisces as it flies away—visible in large binoculars and small telescopes—but it’s headed towards a sunrise demise for viewers in the United States. By the beginning of May, its position will have changed very little from our perspective; however, it will be significantly dimmer and located very near the rising Sun.

Will Comet Lemmon be spectacular? The truth is, we simply do not know. At this point in time it is much brighter than anticipated, meaning it may very well be rapidly depleting itself of fuel. Comet Lemmon may continue to remain more luminous than projected—and it just might fizzle out as it gets closer to the Sun. Despite less than glowing predictions, there’s no reason not to enjoy the anticipation of this surprise added comet apparition for 2013. Charles Messier would be proud to see the many modern global astronomers carrying on his comet-hunting legacy today.

-Tammy Plotner
Celestron Comet Expert

by Bob King

Right now, within the orbit of Mars and about 113 million miles away from the Sun, an icy traveler from the Oort Cloud is headed our way. Although it poses absolutely no threat to Earth, Comet C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) may become an incredible sight for both backyard and professional telescopes around the world. PANSTARRS’ journey through the solar system could be one of the greatest celestial sights of the decade, or it could end in disappointment. Right now, it’s too early to be sure–but never give up hope!

On the night of June 5, 2011, the Pan-STARRS (Panoramic Survey Telescope And Rapid Response System) 1 telescope on Haleakala, Maui, spotted a dim, moving ball of frozen gases and dust. Researchers confirmed the object was officially a comet, and named it PANSTARRS for the telescope that discovered it. In Cambridge, Massachusetts, The Minor Planet Center at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory began calculating a preliminary orbit for PANSTARRS, which estimated the comet’s closest approach to the Sun, called its perihelion, will occur on March 10, 2013. At that time, the comet will be about 34 million miles from the Sun and about 118 million miles from Earth. According to theorists, this means the comet could increase in magnitude about 14 times - or become about 300,000 times brighter than it is now.

For now, astronomers can’t predict exactly what will happen, because Comet PANSTARRS is still so distant. But come this Spring, all eyes will be turned towards the skies as PANSTARRS reaches perihelion and puts on a good show
 or Southern Hemisphere observers. After it swings around the Sun, it should become visible to Northern Hemisphere observers before dawn. You’ll be able to spot it low on the eastern horizon with its tail pointed straight up. Get your telescopes and binoculars ready, because PANSTARRS is on its way…

Click here to download a printable PDF of this article!

-Tammy Plotner
Celestron Comet Expert

Happy New Year, everyone! Many are calling 2013 the Year of the Comet, but this year is loaded with other interesting celestial events for professional and amateur astronomers alike. I hope you enjoy this year with clear skies and great Celestron equipment.

FEBRUARY

15 February – The asteroid 2012 DA14 skims by Earth at an altitude of just 27,000 kilometers!

17 February – Mercury reaches perihelion, its closest point to the Sun. Expect great views of Mercury all month long!

MARCH

05 March – Comet PANSTARRS passes closest to Earth at 1.10 Astronomical Units (AU). One AU equals about 93 million miles, the distance between the Earth and the Sun. In other words, this comet will be slightly farther from us than the Sun, so there are no worries about it hitting us! The Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii discovered this comet in June, 2011. Since comets carry the names of their discoverers, it has been designated C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS). The comet is expected to be visible to the naked eye, but should look even better through a telescope or binoculars!

20 March – The first equinox of 2013. On this day, the Sun shines directly on the equator, resulting in precisely 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night. This is also the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of Fall in the Southern Hemisphere.

29 March – Uranus and the Sun come into conjunction.

31 March – Mercury reaches its the highest elongation: 27.8°W at 24:00.

APRIL

18 April – Mars and the Sun come into conjunction.

21-22 April – The Earth passes through the remnants of Comet Thatcher 18611, and we experience the Lyrid meteor shower. The Lyrid meteor shower--a medium-intensity shower radiating from the constellation Lyra--usually produces about 20 meteors per hour. The Lyrids can produce bright dust tails lasting a few seconds. This year, the Moon will not be visible during the Lyrids, so they should put on a good show. 

25 April – A partial eclipse of the Moon. Earth is between Sun and the Moon, causing Earth's shadow to partially cover the lunar disc. The eclipse will be visible mostly from Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia.

28 April – Saturn reaches opposition. On this day, the planet is closest to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. This is the best time to view and photograph Saturn and its moons!

MAY

05 - 06 May – Earth passes through the remnants of Halley’s comet producing the Eta Aquarid meteor shower. This shower usually produces about 10 meteors per hour. However, the full Moon puts a damper on observations this year. Your best shot at seeing a meteor is to look east after midnight.

10 May –The Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun, producing the Annular Solar Eclipse. A ring formation along with Baily’s beads is visible in Western Australia and over the Pacific Ocean.

25 May – Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. The second lunar eclipse of the year occurs at the Moon's ascending node in Scorpius about 7° northwest of Antares. The eclipse is visible from North America, South America, and the western coast of Africa.

28 May – Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. The two brightest planets come within 1 degree of each other in the night sky. Mercury is also visible nearby.

JUNE

13 June - Venus reaches perihelion, its the closest point to the Sun.

19 June -  Jupiter and the Sun come into conjunction.

20 June – The first solstice of 2013. The North Pole of the Earth is tilted towards the Sun. Observers will see the Sun reach its northernmost position in the sky. This is the first day of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of Winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

JULY

03 July – Venus comes into conjunction with the Beehive star cluster.

05 July - Earth reaches aphelion, our planet’s furthest point to the Sun at 20:59.

28 - 29 July – The South Delta Aquarids shower should produce about 20 meteors per hour. The radiant point for these meteors is in the constellation Aquarius.

AUGUST

12-13 August – The Perseids, one of the best and most famous meteor showers, takes place. The Perseids can produce up to a whopping 60 meteors per hour at peak hours! Look for the meteors near the radiant point in the constellation Perseus. These meteors originate from the tail of Comet Swift-Tuttle.

27 August – Neptune reaches opposition. The planet is closest to Earth and fully illuminated by the Sun. This is the best time to observe Neptune. Because of its distance, it will appear as a tiny blue dot.

SEPTEMBER

08 September – Venus is visible 0.4° north of the Moon.

22 September – The second equinox of 2013. From this day forward, days start getting longer in the Southern Hemisphere and shorter in the Northern Hemisphere.

OCTOBER

03 October – Uranus reaches opposition.  The blue-green planet will be closest to Earth and fully illuminated by the Sun. This is the best time to observe and photograph Uranus. Because of its distance, it will appear as a small blue-green dot.

18 October – The last lunar eclipse of the year is a relatively deep penumbral eclipse. It should be easily visible to the naked eye as a dusky shading in the southern half of the Moon. This eclipse is visible everywhere on the planet, except Oceania and parts of Siberia.

21 - 22 October – Another famous meteor shower takes place, the Orionids. The Orionids produces about 20 medium-intensity meteors per hour. Look for meteors in the mornings from October 20 to 24. The First Quarter Moon will set before midnight, leaving a dark sky. The Orionids also originate from Comet Halley.

NOVEMBER

Throughout November, the sky is illuminated by the recently-discovered Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON). If there is no fragmentation of the comet, it will brighten the sky as it approaches the Sun. The comet will be at perihelion (its closest point to the Sun) on 28 November, at a distance of 0.012 AU from the center of the Sun.

03 November – We experience a rare hybrid annular/total eclipse. Some sections of the path are annular, while other parts are total. The hybrid eclipse of 2013 is visible within a thin corridor traversing the Northern Atlantic and equatorial Africa.

17 - 18 November – The Leonids meteor shower takes place. You’ll be able to observe about 40 meteors per hour. Leonids have a cyclic peak year every 33 years when hundreds of meteors can be seen each hour. Unfortunately, the last time this phenomenon occurred was in 2001, so we’re still a long way off from another peak. The meteors radiate from the constellation Leo after midnight, originating from the tail of the Comet Temple-Tuttle.

DECEMBER

13 - 14 December – We save the best meteor shower for last, the Geminids. This shower is known to produce up to 60 multicolored meteors per hour. You’ll spot the most meteors on or around December 13 and 14, although some meteors should be visible in the weeks before and after.  New Moon will guarantee a dark sky, so the Geminids will be a wonderful show. The best observation is to the east after midnight in a dark area. You’ll see the meteors radiating from the Twins.

21 December – The second solstice, when the South Pole is towards the Sun. This is the first day of Winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and the first day of Summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

26 December – Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) reaches its closest point to Earth, 64 million miles away, on this day.

-Prafull Sharma
Celestron Contributing Blogger

With a nucleus roughly two miles across, Comet ISON may become the "Comet of the Century" when it reaches the inner solar system later this year. Amateur astronomers Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok discovered Comet C/2012 S1 near Kislovodsk, Russia, on September 21, 2012; the comet was named ISON for the 0.4-meter telescope that discovered it, part of the International Scientific Optical Network.

At that time, ISON was about as far away as Jupiter . However, the icy interloper is rapidly approaching the inner solar system and will eventually skim within 2m kilometers of the Sun! If it remains intact, ISON will give astronomers around the world a show we won't soon forget.

“By early October, Comet ISON will be visible in telescopes and binoculars, though the latter may only be for those with reasonably dark skies,” said Sungrazer Project Coordinator Karl Battams. “It should be sporting a reasonable tail, though I think that will be better post-perihelion. In the days preceding perihelion, it should brighten up very rapidly as it passes through our cameras on the NASA STEREO and ESA/NASA SOHO satellites, quite likely saturating our detectors and forcing us down to extremely short exposure times.”

According to predictions, Comet ISON may become as bright as the full Moon; it could even be visible during daylight hours. As ISON nears the Sun, it will warm up, giving off layers of gas and dust—the ingredients for a fantastic tail. As wonderful as this scenario sounds for observing, there's also a possibility the comet may deliver a less-than-dazzling performance.

“Several things can cause comets to fizzle,” explains Battams. “Comets are not dense, solid rocks like asteroids; they're a loose collection of ice and dust. The larger a comet’s surface area, the more volatiles are exposed to solar wind and the more sublimation or ‘melting’ occurs. If a comet starts to fragment, then much more surface is exposed and the comet will burn out much faster.”

As the comet grazes past the Sun and reacts to the Sun’s heat, it may compress and explode in the solar atmosphere. If this occurs, some people worry that ISON could trigger a shockwave, resulting in a solar flare.

So, will ISON explode? And does an ISON-related solar flare post any threat to us on Earth? Let’s turn to Battams for a professional opinion:

ISON appears to be a newcomer to the solar system. If so, it has never experienced the extreme near-Sun environment, and currently has all of its volatile elements largely intact. This would explain why it is so active already, even while still so distant from us. If this comet has never been “tested” in the inner solar system, there's a good chance it will just be too volatile and will simply burn out and fall apart.

Sun-grazing comets have no direct or indirect affect on space weather, and have no effect of any consequence on the Sun. What they are useful for is studying the solar corona when they pass through it, as they essentially act like small probes. Like throwing a rock into a pond, we can study the ripples—in this case, the comet's tail dynamics—and learn new things about the solar corona. This, in turn, can help us understand and predict space weather. But the comet itself will have zero influence on Earth.

Will Comet ISON be spectacular, or will it sparkle and fade? At this point, no one can say with certainty.

“Comets are inherently dynamic and volatile objects, and each one is composed and structured a little differently. They have different concentrations of elements, different densities, different sizes, different shapes and rotation rates, and different structures,” explains Battams. “We have very generalized rules that seem to work quite well at predicting the brightness behavior of most comets, but we frequently see comets that outburst (brighten rapidly) or fragment unexpectedly. So while we know how a ‘typical’ comet will brighten, and what its density and composition may be, that is only a very broad picture.”

However, there’s one thing we know for sure: this year, all eyes are on ISON!

-Tammy Plotner
Celestron Comet Expert 

• Tuesday, Jan. 22 - 1pm to 5pm for courtesy pick up of ID and Welcome Bag only - the registration desk will not be open.
• Wednesday, Jan. 23 - 6:00am to 6:00pm
• Thursday, Jan. 24 - 6:00am to 6:00pm
• Friday, Jan. 25 - 6:00am to 6:00pm
• Saturday, Jan. 26 - 6:00am to 6:00pm
• Sunday, Jan. 27 - 6:00am to 1:00pm

Undoubtedly, our star product this year was the StarSense Accessory. After winning the CES Innovations Award in 2011 for our SkyProdigy self-aligning telescopes, Celestron engineers immediately set to work developing the same self-aligning technology as an accessory. Finally, that dream is a reality with the StarSense Accessory, which consists of a camera attachment and specialized StarSense hand controller. We showed this small-but-mighty accessory on our CGEM 1100 HD telescope. It’s available for preorder now, and begins shipping this Spring.

Tech Podcast Network spotlighted the StarSense Accessory in their live coverage from CES. (Check out the interview here. It’s in the Day 2, Hour 6 segment, about 13 minutes in.)

“Literally on your first night out, you’re going to be able to locate some of the most interesting things in the night sky, without having any prior knowledge,” Product Manager Bryan Cogdell explained. “It’s going to take all the work out for you, so it just leaves the fun part of the experience—using the telescope under the stars.”

“This is what I love about Celestron products,” said Daniel Lewis of Tech Podcast Network. “You’re not stuck with something. You might spend $800 on a telescope, and then you can modify it, you can upgrade just a little part of it, you can add on these extra parts.”

The newcomer to our telescope lineup, Advanced VX, also drew lots of attention at the Celestron booth. Advanced VX is an excellent scope for beginner to intermediate astroimagers. With imaging on the rise, there’s already been lots of excitement surrounding this new product. At CES, we displayed the Advanced VX mount with a 9.25” Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube, but it’s available in many configurations, including the Advanced VX 8-inch EdgeHD. Advanced VX begins shipping in March.

Some might have been surprised to see giant ants crawling in our booth! We hooked up our Deluxe Handheld Digital Microscope to a huge flat-screen TV and pointed it in a gel colony ant farm! The ants put on a great show, and we saw them in stunning detail thanks to the microscope. Product Manager Ron Peters also unveiled 3 new digital microscopes, and the new TrekGuide Lite digital compass.

Sport Optics Product Manager Josh Lazenby was on hand to introduce more than a dozen new binoculars. The new Cavalry series stood out, with a military-inspired look and built-in gadgets like a digital compass and GPS. Another eye-catching binocular was the ultra-compact, reverse porro Cypress series.

Visitors to the booth were amazed when they peered through the new TrailSeeker binoculars. This new line was designed for advanced bird watchers and includes high-end features like phase and dielectric coatings. Our reinvented Regal M2 spotting scope allowed guests to spy into nearby booths!

With so many new products to display, the only challenge we faced at CES was packing everything up at the end of the show. As much fun as we had, we’re already hard at work preparing the next generation of Celestron products for 2014!

-Andrea Tabor
Social Media Coordinator

International Space Station (January 18, 2013) – The astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) just got that much closer to Earth with their latest crew member: a Celestron CPC 925. After arriving at the ISS in July 2012 onboard the Japanese HTV-3, the telescope—the latest component of ISERV (ISS SERVIR Environmental Research and Visualization System)—officially joined Expedition 34 and NASA’s SERVIR mission on Wednesday, January 16.

Canadian astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield enthusiastically announced the installation of ISERV on his Twitter account: “Taking the telescope out of the box—like weightless Christmas!” Accompanying the tweets was a photo of the telescope floating next to Col. Hadfield’s beaming visage.

Celestron's 9.25” diffraction limited Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is positioned within the Destiny module’s Earth-facing window. While remotely controlled from the planet’s surface, ISERV will monitor and assess environmental disasters, climate change, rainforest destruction, and air quality in various locations around the globe. It will also aid in short-term weather prediction.

“Images captured from ISERV on the ISS could provide valuable information back here on Earth,” explained Dan Irwin, SERVIR program director at Marshall Space Flight Center. “We hope it will provide new data and information from space related to natural disasters, environmental crises, and the increased effects of climate variability on human populations."

“ISERV will help advance Earth science research. We are all very excited and proud to see Celestron’s telescope assisting NASA’s quest for knowledge,” explained Corey Lee, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Celestron.

To view the latest images taken by ISERV, follow Celestron on Facebook and Twitter. Please visit Celestron.com and NASA.gov/mission_pages/servir/index.html for more information.

About Celestron

Celestron is a leading designer, manufacturer, and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, GPS devices, binoculars, spotting scopes, and microscopes. Since manufacturing its first telescope in 1960, Celestron has grown to become the world's #1 telescope maker, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology. Celestron’s extraordinary products continue to receive numerous industry and consumer media accolades, adding to an already impressive list that includes awards for product innovation from Reader's Digest, Popular Science, PC Magazine, Popular Mechanics, the Consumer Electronics Association, and more. Celestron is a privately-held company with corporate offices and manufacturing facilities in Torrance, California.

Media Contact:

Michelle Meskill, Marketing Manager
mmeskill@celestron.com
(310) 328-9560 x205

Lauren Stracner, Assistant Marketing Manager
lstracner@celestron.com
(310) 328-9560 x261

###

2013 SHOT Show

January 15-18
Sands Expo & Convention Center
Las Vegas, NV

StarSense has already received a great response from amateur astronomers around the world. But many of you wanted even more information on this nifty new accessory. So, we launched the hashtag #AskTeamCelestron on Twitter and put out a call on Facebook asking you to send us your questions!

We enlisted the help of Bryan Cogdell, the Celestron Product Manager behind StarSense, to answer all your questions in detail. Check out his responses below!

Jeff B. asks, “Once the StarSense alignment is successful, can I switch to my CGE Pro’s internal database and use the NexStar hand controller (HC) or ASCOM control from a planetarium program (i.e. Starry Night)? Or am I restricted to the StarSense hand controller’s Sky Tour? This is not good if I have an imaging session set up in Starry Night or Astroart and I can't use them to control the mount.”
-Yes, you may use planetarium software and control the telescope with ASCOM, just as you would with a NexStar hand controller.  The StarSense controller will replace the existing NexStar controller for the CGE Pro, but functions the same way with an ASCOM connection to the PC.  Alignment must be completed through the hand controller first.

To clarify, the StarSense controller replaces the NexStar controller.  It retains all of the same functions, but with the addition of StarSense Technology automatic alignment, as well as multi-star calibration mount modeling.  Just like the NexStar controller, the StarSense controller can search by object name or catalog number, and interface with a PC via ASCOM.  

Jeff B. asks, “Is there an internal GPS or is the Celestron GPS accessory needed?”
-StarSense does not contain an internal GPS, and does not rely on GPS to perform the alignment procedure. Therefore, there is no need for an external GPS accessory. 

Paul asks, “Can I use StarSense to align to the sun? I also do sun viewing and it's really hard to get aligned to the sun.”
-Yes. Note that as a safety precaution, the Sun must be enabled in the hand controller so it can be used as an alignment option.  

Stephan G. asks, “Can the StarSense Accessory help polar alignment in some way?”
-StarSense won’t directly assist in polar alignment.  However, because the GoTo alignment is very accurate with StarSense, All Star Polar Alignment becomes more accurate. You’ll be more closely polar aligned after just one iteration of the All Star alignment procedure. (This answer applies EQ mounts and CPC + Wedge mounts only.) 

James D. asks, “My question is, can StarSense be used as a guide scope for imaging?”
-Not currently – the main reason is the 20mm f/2 lens used in the camera does not have enough focal length to accurately guide longer focal length telescopes.  We acknowledge this feedback!

William W. asks, “Will the new StarSense Accessory guide me through a polar align on my CGEM DX? Does it replace my hand control?”
-StarSense replaces the existing NexStar hand controller.  It does not assist polar alignment.  It automatically aligns the GoTo.
 

Many of you had specific questions about whether StarSense will work with your telescope. Here are Bryan’s answers:

Carlos L. asks, “Does the StarSense Accessory work with the CGEM? What about with telescopes from other brands?”
Yes, it works with the CGEM, but it does not work with other brands.

Dirk L. asks, “Will this work with the Gemini 2 mount?”
-Sorry, the StarSense Accessory is only compatible with Celestron mounts.

George B. asks, “Are there any telescopes in your current range (and old) GoTos that the StarSense Accessory will not work with?"
-All current mounts are compatible with StarSense. The older NexStar i series (not the SE series), Ultima 2000, and early generation GoTos like the Compustar are not compatible. For more information, consult the complete compatibility list.

Malcolm S. asks, “I own a NexStar 127 SLT and a Celestron C9.25-SGT XLT GOTO. Can you tell me if these two scopes are compatible with the newly released StarSense Accessory? Also, what is going to be the price in the UK?”
-Yes, compatible with both. For pricing information in the UK, contact David Hinds, Ltd.

Jarmo S. asks, “According to the StarSense chart of compatible mounts I can't find the CG5 GT GOTO mount there. So it's not compatible?”
-CG-5 is compatible with the StarSense Accessory, although we initially neglected to add CG-5 to the list of compatible mounts. Thanks for pointing this out! CG-5 has now been added to the chart.

Finally, we received one question from Alan K. on our new Off-Axis Guider:

Alan K. asks, “Will the new guide product work on my NexStar 6SE? Will it track well enough for photos?”
- Yes, it will attach to the NexStar 6SE, and it provides the most accurate method of guiding.  Autoguider not included.

Thanks to all who sent in their questions, and thanks to Bryan for answering them! Still have more questions on StarSense? Leave them in the comments below!

-Andrea Tabor
Social Media Coordinator

The International CES is owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $186 billion U.S. consumer technology industry. CEA represents more than 2,000 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of consumer electronics products. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

Torrance, CA (January 7, 2013) – Celestron, the world’s #1 telescope maker, is thrilled to unveil its newest telescope series and mount designed specifically for astroimaging: Advanced VX. Engineered from the ground up, Advanced VX features many of the same innovations found on Celestron’s most sophisticated German equatorial mounts—at an extremely affordable price.

The new Advanced VX mount provides optimum imaging performance for smaller telescopes. Experienced imagers will love having the performance of their larger observatory mount in Advanced VX’s portable form, perfect for field use on a dark sky site. The mount also helps new imagers hone their hobby, and will grow with their skills for years to come.

“Astroimaging is on the rise as more and more people are learning to snap captivating shots through a telescope with their DSLR camera,” said Joe Lupica, Jr., CEO of Celestron. “With the easy-to-use Advanced VX, this rewarding hobby becomes accessible to anyone.”

The Advanced VX Series includes the Advanced VX mount, along with complete telescope packages featuring a variety of Celestron optical tubes. Each optical tube meets the needs and budget of both imagers and visual observers, including a 6” refractor, 6” Newtonian reflector, 8” Newtonian reflector, 6” Schmidt-Cassegrain, 8” Schmidt-Cassegrain, 9.25” Schmidt-Cassegrain, and 11” Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tubes.

But the star of the Advanced VX line is the 8” EdgeHD telescope. This complete setup provides not only the best optics and the best mount for new astroimagers, but all at a competitive price under $2,000. 

With Advanced VX, you can take advantage of features like All-Star Polar Alignment and autoguider support. Track through long exposures using permanently programmable periodic error correction. Image across the meridian without doing a meridian flip, seamlessly capturing the best part of the night sky.

Plus, Advanced VX features significantly larger base castings than our previous design, adding additional stability under heavier loads. Improved motors offer more torque and can handle slight load imbalances with ease.

Please visit Celestron.com for dealer locations or more information.

About Celestron

Celestron is a leading designer, manufacturer, and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, GPS devices, binoculars, spotting scopes, and microscopes. Since manufacturing its first telescope in 1960, Celestron has grown to become the world's #1 telescope maker, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology. Celestron’s extraordinary products continue to receive numerous industry and consumer media accolades, adding to an already impressive list that includes awards for product innovation from Reader's Digest, Popular Science, PC Magazine, Popular Mechanics, the Consumer Electronics Association, and more. Celestron is a privately held company with corporate offices and manufacturing facilities in Torrance, California.

Media Contact:
Michelle Meskill, Marketing Manager
mmeskill@celestron.com
(310) 328-9560 x205

Lauren Stracner, Assistant Marketing Manager
lstracner@celestron.com
(310) 328-9560 x261

Torrance, CA (January 8, 2013) – Celestron, the world’s #1 telescope maker, is excited to unveil the StarSense Accessory, a revolutionary new telescope accessory that turns your telescope into a fully-automated tour guide of the universe.

Before StarSense, using a computerized telescope required a lengthy alignment process of finding and centering at least two bright stars in the telescope’s eyepiece. But StarSense automatically aligns itself, no user input needed. With StarSense, you become an instant astronomer—even if you’ve never used a telescope before.

StarSense technology debuted in 2011 with Celestron’s SkyProdigy telescope line. SkyProdigy captured multiple awards that year, including Popular Mechanics’ Breakthrough Product Award and the esteemed Innovations Award at the 2011 International CES. 

As SkyProdigy amassed accolades, Celestron engineers were already working to bring StarSense technology to other Celestron computerized telescopes. Now, with the StarSense Accessory, that dream is a reality. StarSense is not only compatible with all of Celestron’s current computerized telescope models, but backwards compatible with many older models as well.

The StarSense Accessory includes a small digital camera that attaches to the telescope’s optical tube, along with a specialized hand controller. Just set up the accessory, push the Align button on the hand controller, and StarSense starts capturing and comparing images of the night sky against its internal database of 40,000 celestial objects. In about three minutes, StarSense will gather enough information to triangulate its position and align itself. Then, press the Sky Tour button: StarSense will automatically slew to all the best stars, planets, galaxies, and more based on your exact time and location.

Even the most advanced telescope users will love using the affordable StarSense Accessory. StarSense replaces expensive software used for Advanced Mount Modeling, providing superior pointing accuracy from horizon to horizon. Users can add as many calibration stars as desired to give their telescope mount a new level of accuracy.

StarSense will be on display, along with all of Celestron’s new 2013 lineup, during the 2013 International CES, January 8-11, 2013, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.  Visit Celestron in Central Hall, booth #14842 for a complete review of StarSense and all of our 2013 new product releases.

Please visit Celestron.com for dealer locations or more information. 

About Celestron

Celestron is a leading designer, manufacturer and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, GPS devices, binoculars, spotting scopes, and microscopes. Since manufacturing its first telescope in 1960, Celestron has grown to become the world's #1 telescope maker, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology. Celestron’s extraordinary products continue to receive numerous industry and consumer media accolades, adding to an already impressive list that includes awards for product innovation from Reader’s Digest, Popular Science, PC Magazine, Popular Mechanics, the Consumer Electronics Association, and more. Celestron is a privately held company with corporate offices and manufacturing facilities in Torrance, California.

Media Contact:
Michelle Meskill, Marketing Manager
mmeskill@celestron.com
(310) 328-9560 x205 

Lauren Stracner, Assistant Marketing Manager
lstracner@celestron.com
(310) 328-9560 x261

Designed from the ground up specifically for astroimaging, the new Advanced VX telescope series is Celestron’s answer to the increasing popularity of astroimaging and the growing demands of beginner and intermediate imagers. The Advanced VX portable mount incorporates features usually found on more expensive telescope mounts, and is available in eight different optical tube packages. The star of the series is the Advanced VX 8” Edge HD, which combines Celestron’s best optical design with the Advanced VX for a stellar astroimaging telescope under $2,000.

The SkyProdigy™ computerized telescope with StarSense technology captured multiple awards in 2011, and this year Celestron adds to its success with the StarSense Accessory. With StarSense, almost any Celestron computerized telescope can automatically align itself in about 3 minutes: just plug in the provided hand controller, attach the camera accessory, and hit the Align button. In no time, your telescope is ready to embark on a tour of the universe.

Venturing back down to Earth, Celestron also introduces several new lines of sport optics products for 2013. From beginner hikers to advanced outdoor enthusiasts, Celestron has an adventure-ready binocular series for everyone:

• The TrailSeeker binocular series includes advanced features sought after by birders—including dielectric coated BaK-4 prisms and a close focus of as little as 6.5 feet—at a price competitive with rival brands.
• Hunters, law enforcement, and military personnel will get the most out of their field time with the rugged Cavalry series of binoculars and monoculars. These durable models are fully waterproof, covered with protective rubber, and camouflaged in OD green. Plus, several Cavalry models include essential survival features like an internal compass, reticle, and even a built-in GPS.
• Affordable and accessible, the new Cypress and Nature DX binocular series are clear choices for beginning to intermediate users.
• Our popular Granite binocular series expands with two new models: a 7x33 and a 9x33. Both feature the same top-of-the-line Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass as other Granite binoculars.

Celestron’s Regal spotting scopes have also undergone a facelift for 2013, emerging as the lighter and brighter Regal M2 series. We’ve added our proprietary XLT coatings to improve light transmission, plus reduced the overall weight of the scope by 14%.

The aspiring outdoorsman can venture confidently into the wilderness with TrekGuide Lite and LandScout, two Celestron products that enhance your time in the field. Use TrekGuide Lite’s personal compass and thermometer to stay safe on the trail, and check out fresh terrain for hiking and biking with the LandScout, a great portable spotting scope.

Upgrade your lab equipment with the three latest additions to Celestron’s cutting-edge digital microscope lineup. The professional-quality LCD Digital Microscope II includes a large full-color LCD screen, 40x to 1600x power (via digital zoom), built-in 5MP digital camera, and 1GB SD memory card to bring the microscopic world into full-color focus.  For a more portable option, the rechargeable, lithium ion battery-powered InfiniView LCD Digital Microscope offers a 5MP camera, full color LCD screen, and 20x-200x powers, making it perfect for viewing objects in the field.  Scaling down further, the Handheld Digital Pro microscope plugs into any Mac or PC via USB cable and uses the computer’s internal memory to store photos and video taken with its 5MP camera.

Finally, Celestron reveals the computerized Sky-Watcher Virtuoso Versatile Mount, which brings precision panning technology to your DSLR, camcorder, or even your cell phone. Just attach a camera to Virtuoso and enjoy smooth panning video, perfectly aligned panoramic still photography, and much more. Virtuoso also includes a 90mm optical tube for astronomical observation.

All of Celestron’s new products will be on display along with the popular SkyQ Link WiFi Module at the 2013 International CES, taking place January 8-11, 2013, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.  Visit Celestron in Central Hall, booth #14842 to explore our exciting 2013 product offering.

About Celestron

Celestron is a leading designer, manufacturer, and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, GPS devices, binoculars, spotting scopes, and microscopes. Since manufacturing its first telescope in 1960, Celestron has grown to become the world's #1 telescope maker, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology. Celestron’s extraordinary products continue to receive numerous industry and consumer media accolades, adding to an already impressive list that includes awards for product innovation from Reader's Digest, Popular Science, PC Magazine, Popular Mechanics, the Consumer Electronics Association, and more. Celestron is a privately-held company with corporate offices and manufacturing facilities in Torrance, California.

Media Contact:

Michelle Meskill, Marketing Manager
mmeskill@celestron.com
(310) 328-9560 x205

Lauren Stracner, Assistant Marketing Manager
lstracner@celestron.com
(310) 328-9560 x261

After we counted all the entries, we randomly picked a winner:

Congratulations Joe Guzman!

We have contacted the winner privately so we can send him his prize. Thanks to all who entered, and stay tuned for our next contest!

-Andrea Tabor
Social Media Coordinator

 On 12th December 2012 at 06:40 UTC, Asteroid 4179 Toutatis made a close pass by the Earth, coming within 6.9 million kilometers (4.3 million miles) of our home. It was shining at magnitude 10.9 that night. Toutatis passed through the constellation Cetus, into constellation Pisces, and then back into constellation Cetus.

A computer-generated view of Toutatis

Toutatis is 2.7 miles (4.46 kilometers) long and 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) wide with mass of 5.0×10¹³ kg. It is one of the largest asteroids that comes near our planet and approaches Earth every four years. Although it is half of the size of the asteroid thought to have wiped out the dinosaurs, Toutatis poses no immediate danger to us. Astronomers have projected its orbit hundreds of years into the future and concluded that there is no risk of Toutatis colliding with Earth. In fact, astronomers believe Toutatis has been passing Earth’s orbit every four years for billions of years. It will likely continue to do so, harmlessly, for billions of years to come.

Toutatis is a well-known asteroid; it has been studied extensively and its orbit has been fully determined. That’s why it has a proper name, instead of just a numerical designation. Toutatis was first observed and cataloged on February 10, 1934, as 1934 CT, but was lost after a short duration in which it couldn’t be observed. The asteroid remained lost for several decades even though it approached Earth every 4 years. Then, on January 4, 1989, Christian Pollas spotted it. Its orbit was then calculated enough that there was no danger of losing sight of it again and finally the International Astronomical Union (IAU) officially named this object after the Celtic god Toutatis (Teutates).

Toutatis' orbital path. Credit: NASA/JPL

Now, Toutatis is known as one of the largest of the Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). Despite this menacing name, the term PHA simply refers to any asteroid that approaches within 4.6 million miles (7.5 million kilometers) of Earth. That’s approximately 19.5 lunar distances, about the distance of Toutatis at this 2012 passage.

Next time Toutatis will approach at least this close to Earth is in November of 2069 when the asteroid will fly by at a distance of only 0.0198 AU (7.7 lunar distances). We’ll be waiting for it!

- Prafull Sharma
Celestron Contributing Blogger

- Andrea Tabor
Social Media Coordinator

Comet PANSTARRS won’t pass by Earth until this spring, but it’s already showing some unusual properties. Researchers have observed a bright halo of material surrounding the comet, a signal that it’s actively producing dust. This is great news for backyard astronomers, since dust and ice are what contribute to comets’ beautiful, long tails! 

If these early observations hold true, PANSTARRS should dazzle the eye as it passes around the Sun. Its tail could stretch across a swatch of sky the size of your hand! Of course, the question on everyone’s mind is, “When can I see Comet PANSTARRS?” 

Southern Hemisphere Observers

Starting in late November, the comet will be visible with telescopes of about 8 inches and larger, like the Celestron NexStar 8SE. Observers south of the equator will find it hanging around the early evening 

constellations of Lupus and Scorpius. As it continues towards the Sun, it will begin a brightening trend, slightly gaining brightness every few days. By early December, PANSTARRS will be in the middle of the constellation of Scorpius and shine about as bright as an average galaxy.

The real excitement begins in January 2013. By mid-month, PANSTARRS will have journeyed into the Scorpius/Corona Australis border, dancing in the skies for Southern Hemisphere observers at magnitude 8! This puts the comet’s visibility well within reach of amateur telescopes like the AstroMaster 130EQ or NexStar SLT 102. Larger binoculars like the SkyMaster 15x70 will also provide good views of the comet.

In early Feburary, PANSTARRS reaches the southernmost point in its journey and will appear to change directions in the night sky. The brightening trend continues to speed up so that by mid-February, Comet PANSTARRS should be an unaided eye “fuzzy” located in the vicinity of the southern constellation of Microscopium. 

As it dives toward the Sun, it will move into the constellation of Pisces, easily visible in the Southern Hemisphere without optical aid. It should be about as easy to spot as major stars, so even observers in urban areas can spot it. PANSTARRS passes closest to Earth on March 5th just slightly more distant than the Earth is from the Sun. Finally, on March 10th, it makes a close pass around the Sun, known as perihelion. At this point, the comet will be less than a third of the distance between the Earth and Sun.

Click here to download a printable PDF of this article!

-Tammy Plotner
Celestron Comet Expert 

ASAE will be a 2 day event featuring exhibits from Government, Educational, and Commercial vendors.

The show will include lectures by well-known professional astronomers, television personalities, and astronauts.

Space exhibits, hands-on displays, and many interactive activities will please kids of all ages.

Already the largest gathering of science and astronomy companies on the west coast, ASAE promises retailers and dealers a networking platform where manufacturers, suppliers, and vendors have the opportunity to build partnerships, expand and create their relationships, and preview exciting new products for the upcoming year.

With Tucson being such an amazing astronomy town, with a population of over 1 million, ASAE will be the first Science and Astronomy Expo of this magnitude.

You will be kept very busy both days as amateur astronomers and attendees browse the exhibits and shop for the newest and best products from around the world.

This ultimate camping experience featured plenty of exciting activities from singing, dancing and stage performances, to crafts, games, hiking and interactive teambuilding exercises using the latest technologies.  Girl Power anyone?  Celestron was proud to be a corporate sponsor of Camporee and dispatched Team Celestron members to introduce the girls of the wonders of astronomy and other forms of science.

Activities

Team Celestron and countless volunteers were spread out in tents across a huge lawn with each team responsible for managing their own science-related activity.  We incorporated a “hands-on” approach to learning, using Celestron’s latest outdoor and science-related products. 

Daytime activities included Nature Bingo/Weather (Outland X monoculars and TrekGuides); Microscope Evaluation and Botany (Portable LCD Digital microscopes); Bird Watching/Bug Collecting (UpClose G2  7X35 binoculars and Portable LCD Digital microscopes); Human Cell Specimens (Microscope Kits and LCD Digital microscopes); Daytime solar, planetary and terrestrial viewing (SkyProdigy 130, NexStar 6 SE, CPC 800, Lunt H-Alpha dedicated solar scope, FirstScopes and SkyMaster 15x70 binoculars); Evening Stargazing (SkyProdigy 130, NexStar 6 SE, CPC 800, CGEM 800 HD, FirstScopes and SkyMaster 15x70 binoculars) and finally, a Night Hike (SkyScout Personal Planetarium). 

There were six separate rotations with 400 or more girls per rotation during the two day event.  Now that was a lot of girls to engage!!  “Passports” were distributed allowing the girls to check off requirements they learned from activities needed to earn badges after the event. Juniors scouts pursued the Camper badge, Cadettes completed requirements for the Night Owl badge, and Seniors worked toward the Adventure badge.

Star Party

After dinner, many girls were very eager to return for the star party.  Although the Moon was almost full, its light illuminated the landscape making it a perfect setting for a peaceful moonlit hike around the lake.  There was no deep sky observing on this night; however, with the use of special filters, the girls were able to comfortably spot craters and view “seas” on the Moon without being overwhelmed by the Moon’s intense light. 

We also turned our focus toward other fascinating man-made and celestial objects unaffected by the Moon’s glow.  Right on schedule, the International Space Station appeared briefly – low in the northern sky for a few seconds before disappearing into the Earth’s shadow to a chorus of cheers from everyone observing.  Albireo, the colorful blue and yellow double star, the fascinating Double Cluster, and the famous Andromeda Galaxy, also delighted everyone with their fine telescopic views.

Aftermath

Team Celestron was thrilled to be a part of the 100^th anniversary of the GSGLA’s Camporee event.  It was quite exciting for us to provide many fun science activities that engaged and inspired these young girls to want to learn more about life here on planet Earth, as well as to explore and seek answers to the mysteries of the universe.  After all, these young girls are the future who will become leaders of their generation and beyond.  Their future is looking very bright indeed!  To see all our photos from Camporee, please visit our Flickr page.

- Kevin Kawai
Marketing Coordinator

The setup includes a NASA-modified Celestron CPC 925 computerized telescope. ISERV Pathfinder was designed and built at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The camera system will be stowed aboard the ISS initially, then assembled by crewmembers in January, 2013.

“ISERV will help advance Earth Science research. We are all very excited and proud to see Celestron’s telescope assisting NASA’s quest for knowledge.” said Corey Lee, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Celestron. View images of the ISERV setup, including the Celestron telescope, at NASA’s website here.

Using the Celestron telescope as a giant lens, ISERV’s camera will take crystal clear shots of our planet from Destiny laboratory’s Earth-facing window, WORF. ISERV images will be used to monitor and assess environmental disasters, climate change, rainforest destruction and air quality in various locations around the globe. It will also aid in short-term weather prediction.

"ISERV came about because officials in developing countries are sometimes unable to acquire the images they need to address environmental threats and provide post-disaster assessments," said Nancy Searby of NASA.

NASA hopes the ISERV Pathfinder will be the first in a planned series of remote-controlled “Earth observing instruments each to feature progressively more capable sensors” aboard ISS.

About Celestron: Celestron is the leading designer, manufacturer and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes. Since manufacturing its first telescope in 1960, Celestron has grown to become the world’s leading telescope maker, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology. For more information visit: www.celestron.com.

Contacts:
Michelle Meskill Marketing Manager, Celestron
310-328-9560 ext. 205
mmeskill@celestron.com

Friends and family – Stargazing is more fun when you share it with others! Perhaps you could introduce your kids or neighbors to astronomy. Or, as many of our fans suggested, bring your sweetheart for a romantic night under the stars.

Eyepieces and Telescope Accessories – Don’t forget your favorite telescope accessories such as a dew shield, Barlow lens, moon filter, or nebula filter. Celestron employee Kevin K. recommends bino viewers for a 3D observing experience! Most Celestron tripods include an accessory tray so you don’t lose anything.

Beach towel – Speaking of accessories, Facebook fan David P. recommends laying down a beach towel underneath your tripod legs. “That way if something falls, there's a soft place for it to land and I can find it easier,” he said.

Binoculars – Binoculars are a great tool for observing the night sky. David M. recommends the Celestron SkyMaster 25-125x80 Zoom Binocular.

Red flashlight – It takes your eyes a while to adapt to darkness, which helps you see finer details in your telescope. Use a red flashlight to provide visibility while your eyes are dark-adapted. You can also deck out your tripod legs with red lights so that people don't trip on them in the dark. And don’t forget red filters for anything that emits light, like your laptop or smartphone screen!

White headlamp for cleanup – When you’re done observing, a regular white headlamp can help you clean up quickly while keeping your hands free. Thanks to Josh L. for this tip!

Laser pointer – If you’re observing in a group, a green laser pointer can help you point out objects for everyone to see. Be careful to observe all laws regarding laser pointers where you live.

Lens cleaning tool – Bring a small tool to clean your optics, especially if it may be windy or dusty. Make sure your brush is specifically made for lenses and optical elements, like our LensPen.

Level – If your tripod doesn't have a built-in level, a simple bubble level is a real time-saver when you’re setting up your tripod!

Toolbox – In case anything goes wrong, James F. keeps a toolbox handy for on-the-spot equipment adjustments.

Hair dryer – If moisture or humidity may pose a problem, Michael P. recommends bringing a small hair dryer along to zap water off of your optics!

Photo by Marisa Dominello

Star maps/Smartphone app – Star charts are a great way to navigate the night sky. Now, you have the option of using a paper star chart or a digital one. Our SkyQ app for iPhone and iPad includes audio descriptions of over 200 celestial objects. And with the new SkyQ Link, you can also use your mobile device as a hand control for your telescope.

Handouts for beginners – If you’re going to a star party or bringing someone who’s new to observing, it’s a good idea to have some printed materials covering the basics of astronomy. If you’re observing in a crowded public place, people may stop and ask you about what you’re doing, so these can come in handy.

Protection from wildlife – Many of our fans told us that they observe in dark sky locations near bears, mountain lions and other dangerous wildlife. Make sure you take safety precautions when going to places like this!

Power – Make sure you have enough power for your telescope and other electronic gadgets. A Celestron Power Tank 17 and a few spare batteries should do the trick. Although some observers told us they like to bring 2 Power Tanks just in case!

Creature Comforts

Observing chair or stool – Choose an observing chair you can sit in comfortably for extended periods. Scott M. likes using a beanbag chair!
Gardener’s kneepad
Tent or sleeping bag for all-night observing sessions, such as meteor showers!
Music/iPod
Hat
Lip balm
Sketch pad – Sketching what you see through the eyepiece is the oldest (and cheapest) form of astroimaging!

Winter Observing

Heated Socks – A must-have for Celestron salesman Lonnie W.!
Hand warmers – Tristan S. uses chemical hand warmers.
Heat wraps – Traditionally used as a treatment for sore muscles, these wraps provide heat for up to 12 hours, which is great for nighttime observing. Thanks to Celestron employee Marisa D. for this tip!
Long Johns
Blankets

Summer Observing

Bug spray – James F. recommends brands containing DEET.

Food and Drink
Amateur astronomers need to fuel their observations with the right snacks and beverages! It seems everyone has a signature food or drink item they bring observing. Below are a few of the most popular suggestions.

Bottled water
Coffee – Mark B. brews his own extra-strong “Astronomer’s Blend”!
Soda
Hot chocolate
Beer, for observers over age 21 – Many of our fans say they enjoy an adult beverage while observing. But Flo M. cautions, “[It's] amazing folks bring alcohol to stargaze, do they not realize this impairs their viewing experiences?”
Chips
Granola bars
Peanut M&Ms
Oreos
Cheez-Its

Did we forget your favorite must-have observing accessory? Share it with us in the comments below!

Want to be a part of our next Ultimate Guide? Make sure you Like Celestron on Facebook so you can answer our next question! Who knows, you might be featured here on the blog. Clear skies!

-Andrea Tabor
Social Media Coordinator

All photos copyright Marisa Dominello. Used with permission.

Celestron brought four of our expert product managers to the show, so they could speak with attendees on an advanced level about Celestron equipment and answer their questions. It was interesting to listen in on these conversations and hear about the amazing things people are doing with Celestron products. We even met one person who worked for a lab that is researching ways to float an imaging telescope into the stratosphere using a balloon!

Telescopes

The CGE PRO 1400 HD telescope dominated our booth and commanded attention at the center of the exhibit hall. Attendees were surprised to learn that the CGE PRO 1100 HD and 1400 HD were among the most affordable telescopes on display at the show! The CGE PRO features Celestron’s EdgeHD technology, which is ideal for astroimaging as it produces an extremely flat field all the way to the edge of the frame. At the show, Celestron unveiled its latest whitepaper, telling the story of EdgeHD technology, how it works, and how it stacks up against more expensive competitor products. Imagers snapped up the whitepapers to read on the plane ride home! Soon, we’ll offer a PDF of the whitepaper for download here on our website.

Cameras and Other New Products

Team Celestron was also extremely proud to showcase 3 new products that astroimagers have been waiting for: our Nightscape 8300 CCD camera, the NexImage 5 solar system imager, and reducers for the 11 inch EdgeHD and 14 inch EdgeHD telescopes. Visitors to the booth could get hands-on with these new products and see them installed on our telescopes. We also featured a slideshow of images taken with our new cameras.

Workshops

This year’s sold-out show featured so many interesting workshops, our team had to split up to make sure we could attend as many as possible! I was fortunate enough to attend “The ABCs of Image Processing,” presented by renowned astroimager Bob Fera. Bob went through his entire workflow for processing astroimages from start to finish, sharing tips and tricks to get the most out of an image. Bob emphasized the importance of not “crossing the line” when processing astroimages—he demonstrated how to keep the image photorealistic and avoid overprocessing.

Thanks to everyone who helped put together the Advanced Imaging Conference 2012! We look forward to representing Celestron again next year. To view all our photos from AIC 2012, check out our Flickr page! And to learn more about AIC, visit their website at http://www.aicccd.com.

-Andrea Tabor
Social Media Coordinator

DAC, a student club at the Damak Multiple Campus and a sister organization of the Nepal Astronomical Society in Lalitpur, Nepal, was selected by Astronomers Without Borders as the most worthy recipient for this donation.  “We like to do something best in astronomy and give knowledge to others as well,” says Dev Raj Sapkota, lecturer at the Damak Multiple Campus and club coordinator.  The donation will provide this recently established club with its first good telescope.

The astropoetry contest was one of more than 30 programs in Astronomers Without Borders’ Global Astronomy Month (GAM) in April—the world’s largest regular celebration of astronomy with participation from the vast majority of the world’s countries.  This year’s contest had over 70 entries of astronomy-related poems from 8 countries across all ages, with Celestron’s AstroMaster and FirstScope telescopes awarded to the top winners.

The poem “Star Gazing,” by Robert A. Wilcox of Los Angeles, California, was judged the first-place winner in the Adult category.  Wilcox wished to have his prize telescope donated to a worthy astronomy club in a developing country, and asked Astronomers Without Borders to make the selection.  His poem, along with the other winning poems in the Adult, Young Adult, and Children’s categories, can be viewed at the Astronomers Without Borders website.

Celestron is the leading designer, manufacturer and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes. Since manufacturing its first telescope in 1960, Celestron has grown to become the world’s leading telescope maker, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology. For more information visit: www.celestron.com.

Astronomers Without Borders connects people worldwide through innovative programs that are accessible to everyone regardless of geography and culture. Combining local events with online technology and a global community, Astronomers Without borders is a leader in promoting understanding and peaceful international relations, while also supporting outreach and education in astronomy. For more information visit: www.astronomerswithoutborders.org.

Contacts:

Michelle Meskill
Marketing Manager, Celestron
310-328-9560 ext. 205
mmeskill@celestron.com

 Mike Simmons
President, Astronomers Without Borders
818-597-0223
mikes@astronomerswithoutborders.org

But eventually, imagers become limited by the constraints of DSLR cameras. After all, these cameras are mainly built for terrestrial photography, and lighting conditions very different from what we can see through a telescope.

CCD cameras take astroimaging to the next level, with super-sensitive CCD chips and cooling systems that reduce the temperature inside the camera by several degrees. These specialized cameras reduce noise, yielding greater signal and more detail in every shot. But this advanced technology can be difficult to use and range into the thousands of dollars. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right camera to help you get the best results.

Celestron offers two excellent CCD cameras at an extremely affordable price, perfect for those looking to make the transition from DSLR to CCD camera.

Nightscape 10100: A Versatile CCD Camera

The Nightscape 10100 debuted in 2011, and gained favor among imagers for its flexibility. At 10.7 megapixels, this camera offers more pixels-per-dollar than any other cooled 16-bit color CCD on the market.

The Nightscape 10100 works in 3 different resolutions in color. At full 1x1 resolution, sensitivity is best matched with short telescopes with a fast f-ratio, such as an EdgeHD with Hyperstar (f/2). In 2x2 and 4x4 binning modes, the camera is considerably more sensitive and suited for longer focal length telescopes, like the EdgeHD operating at f/10 or f/11. This provides great versatility for most imaging configurations.

At $1,499, the Nightscape 10100 is a huge improvement in quality over DSLR imaging, while providing excellent value.

Nightscape 8300: Advanced Technology at an Affordable Price

The Kodak KAF 8300 CCD sensor is a favorite among astroimagers due to its inherent low noise, high sensitivity, and relatively small pixel size. However, until now, this acclaimed Kodak chip was only available on high-end CCD cameras with a price tag to match.

To make this sensor more accessible for amateur astroimagers, Celestron’s engineers designed the Nightscape 8300. It’s the most affordable Kodak KAF 8300 camera on the market. At $1699, this camera offers 3.5x the imaging area and 5.5x the resolution of other CCD cameras in its price range. The Nightscape 8300 sets a new standard for intermediate level imaging.

The Nightscape 8300 has 8.3 megapixels, and is ideal for short to medium focal length telescopes, such as an EdgeHD system with a 0.7x Reducer Lens. It’s also a great choice for most refractor and reflector telescopes.

AstroFX Software: Included With Your Nightscape Camera

In reference to our Nightscape 10100, Sky and Telescope magazine said, “This camera takes the work out of creating spectacular deep-sky images.” Part of why Nightscape is so easy to use is the included software, AstroFX.

If you’re new to CCD photography, let AstroFX guide you step-by-step from taking images to final processing. You’ll be surprised how simple it is to create a final master image that's been stacked, stretched, sharpened, and saturated – ready to share with your friends.

Additionally, both Nightscape cameras come with a 2-year warranty from Celestron.

While many of our colleagues were overseas at the Photokina tradeshow in Cologne, Germany, some of us stayed back to exhibit Celestron products at PATS.  This year, the Celestron booth had a fresh new look, with our top-end products front and center.  Visitors flocked to our CPC Deluxe 800 HD (fully equipped for astroimaging), a CGEM DX 1100 HD and a CGEM 925 HD.  Around the booth’s perimeter, Celestron displayed a SkyMaster 25x100 binocular, SkyProdigy 6, AstroMaster 70AZ, NexStar 6SE and a Regal100F-ED spotting scope.  On our table display, we featured a FirstScope, SkyMaster 15x70, Granite 8x42 and 10x42, Outland X 8x42 and 10x25 binoculars, Luminos eyepieces, X-Cel LX Series eyepieces and Barlow lenses, and our ever-faithful SkyScout.

Our popular Deluxe Digital, LCD Digital and PentaView microscopes also drew large crowds to the Celestron tables.  Children were in awe as small, hidden worlds suddenly came into view. Observing insects, currency, beads, fabrics, a spider and even body parts through a microscope brought out everyone’s curiosity. One mother who was with her young son said, “I never knew such neat products existed. My son is having so much fun with these digital microscopes, but as long as he’s learning something, then he may find something in his stocking from Santa this Christmas.” We couldn’t help but nod our heads in agreement.

The best part of any tradeshow is meeting customers face-to-face and introducing them to new products like the new SkyQ Link and SkyQ mobile app.  With SkyQ, users have the ability to locate and identify virtually any celestial object using their iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch while they learn interesting facts and trivia of the night sky.  Sound similar to SkyScout, right?  Add SkyQ Link to a Celestron computerized telescope with an AUX port, and enjoy full wireless telescope control using SkyQ. Imagine aligning and slewing your telescope to celestial objects wirelessly from your iOS device. How amazing is that?  PATS was also the perfect venue to announce our new Nightscape 8300 CCD camera featuring the widely acclaimed Kodak KAF-8300 color CCD.  This camera will provide larger pixels with the area, resolution and sensitivity required to take breathtaking astroimages. It begins shipping this month.

It is always such a pleasure to attend astronomy shows such as PATS and meet with fellow astronomy enthusiasts along with our old friends in the industry. Many guests who stopped by were already proud owners of Celestron equipment, and it was great interacting and hearing their feedback. This year, we noticed more and more new customers who were interested to learn the art of astroimaging.  With this in mind, Celestron will continue to pursue new ways to make astroimaging easier, so everyone can learn to take these stunning images and share them with others.

With added public interest, and the possibility of two very bright comets visiting our skies next year, PATS is looking to be well on its way of having another attendance record-breaking year in 2013!

• Browse dozens of manufacturers and dealers of astronomical equipment, software, and accessories, all under one roof. Company representatives and, in some cases, owners will be available to answer your questions.
• Check out all the telescopes and discover the one that's right for you. While there will be many which are suitable for beginners, there'll be plenty that are aimed at intermediate and advanced amateurs.
• See astrophotography products from the industry's leading camera, mount, video camera, and software manufacturers.
• Examine books, star charts, and astronomical accessories across a range of prices.
• Find bargains and pick up the product you always wanted.
• Enjoy indoor events including talks by scientists, observers, and a very talented artist.
• Outdoors you will find an array of specialized solar telescopes offering breathtaking views of the Sun (for many, this alone is worth the trip).

and more.

Website:
http://www.rtmcastronomyexpo.org/PATS.htm

Dates:
September 22 - September 23

Location: 
Pasadena, CA

Every two years there is one focal point in the sector: photokina, the world’s leading imaging fair. photokina brings together the industry, trade, professional users and end consumers with a passion for photography — in a way no other event can match. Be sure you don’t miss the world’s most important platform for placing orders, gathering information and enjoying exciting experiences — from September 18 to 23, 2012 in Cologne.

Website:
http://www.photokina.com

Dates:
September 18 - September 23

Location: 
Cologne, Germany

Website:
http://www.outdoorretailer.com/summer-market/

Dates:
July 31 - August 23

Location:
Salt Lake City, Utah

TORRANCE, CA – July 26, 2012 – Celestron, the global leader in telescope design, has partnered with Astronomers Without Borders, the leader in organizing programs connecting people worldwide through a shared common interest in astronomy. In this sponsorship, both companies will better serve the entire international astronomy community.

Celestron continues to innovate since manufacturing their first telescope over half a century ago. Industry standard offerings range from optics for amateur astronomers up to university research-quality instruments and beyond. Celestron's mission is to inspire a sense of wonder, knowledge and fun about all aspects of astronomy in our customers worldwide.

Astronomers Without Borders began in 2007 and organizes the world's largest global astronomy programs, based on the idea that "we all share the same sky". Astronomers Without Borders' flagship program, Global Astronomy Month (GAM) in April, has become the world's largest regular celebration of astronomy with participation from the vast majority of the world's countries.

Among the more than 30 programs in GAM 2012, an "Astropoetry Contest" was a huge success. There were over 70 entries from 8 countries across all ages, with Celestron's AstroMaster and FirstScope telescopes awarded to the winners. View the blog here. Celestron also participated in the rare "Transit of Venus" celestial event in June with Astronomers Without Borders on Mount Wilson Observatory. You can watch the archived webcast here.

"Celestron is committed to Astronomers Without Borders' sustainability for the benefit of all astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts, regardless of their location or specific interests." says company president and CEO Joseph A. Lupica Jr.

Celestron will donate top new products to Astronomers Without Borders programs aimed at beginning astronomers and schools, bringing shared knowledge, resources and a sense of commonality between developed and developing nations. Already a name brand in over 80 countries, participation in these programs gives Celestron an even broader reach across the globe.

Astronomers Without Borders president Mike Simmons adds, "Celestron's commitment to the worldwide astronomy community goes far beyond self-interest, with a long-term vision that promoting astronomy in education and as a hobby will improve participation in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) in the US and around the world."

About Celestron
Celestron is the leading designer, manufacturer and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes. Since manufacturing its first telescope in 1960, Celestron has grown to become the world's leading telescope maker, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology. For more information visit: www.celestron.com.

About Astronomers Without Borders Astronomers Without Borders connects people worldwide through innovative programs that are accessible to everyone regardless of geography and culture. Combining local events with online technology and a global community, Astronomers Without borders is a leader in promoting understanding and peaceful international relations, while also supporting outreach and education in astronomy. For more information visit: www.astronomerswithoutborders.org.

Contacts:
Michelle Meskill
Marketing Manager, Celestron
310-328-9560 ext. 205
mmeskill@celestron.com

Mike Simmons
President, Astronomers Without Borders
818-597-0223
mikes@astronomerswithoutborders.org

Oceanside Photo and Telescope’s Website Manager, Penny Distasio, invited Celestron to team up and for a block of three days, exhibit telescopes inside the fair’s Theme Exhibit Building – filled with space related displays including a gigantic, colorful UFO.   How could we turn that down?  We joined OPT (who is working the duration of the event) and set up our telescopes on a raised stage on one end of the building to observe “planetary” objects hanging from wires on the opposite end.  I was told the OPT gals spent a few Wednesday evenings creating a realistic Solar System display just for the exhibit.  Well done ladies!

Once the building opened, fairgoers quickly spotted our telescopes and a line formed as staff members permitted guests to walk up on stage two to five at a time for viewing.  A Celestron NexStar 6SE and AstroMaster 70AZ were the telescope workhorses and aimed at different planetary objects, while a CPC 1100 and a PlaneWave 17” CDK optical tube assembly stood on static display behind the stage.  Guests were quite amazed at the magnification prowess of each telescope considering how far away the targets were placed.  A considerable amount of planetary details were faithfully replicated, including "Saturn's" Cassini Division and "Neptune's" raging storm.  Quite a number of children, some as young as four years of age, were able to name all the Terrestrial and Jovian planets and in order!  Many guests welcomed their first opportunity to peek through telescopes, even if the targets were just models.  It just goes to show how much work is still needed to get the word out on how fun, exciting and educational telescope observing really is.   

The San Diego County Fair comes to a close on July 4^th, but until then, there is still plenty of astronomy outreach that will be taking place at the OPT stage.  Each day will continue to bring in hundreds and hundreds of new visitors who will also have the opportunity to view through the telescopes.  How many people will become inspired with the wonders of astronomy and related sciences?  Judging by all the happy smiles we encountered thus far, I would say “more than you can imagine.”  Stop by the fair and say hello to OPT staff members who will continue to provide telescope viewing until the fair comes to a close with a bang, and I do mean that literally. Thank you Penny and OPT for inviting Celestron to participate at such a worthwhile public outreach event.  We will see you all again in a few weeks at SCAE on July 14^th!

For 51 weeks a year, EAA is an international community of more than 160,000 members that nurtures the spirit of flight through a worldwide network of chapters, outreach programs, and other events.

But for one week each summer, EAA members and aviation enthusiasts totaling more than 500,000 from more than 60 countries attend EAA AirVenture at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where they rekindle friendships and celebrate the past, present and future in the world of flight.

Website:
http://www.airventure.org

Dates:
July 23 - July 29

Location:
Osh Kosh, WI

Join us next June as we explore outer space — the wonder of the universe and our efforts to explore it, as well as the fun and imaginative world of science fiction and visitors from other planets! Click here to see who will be performing at the Fair?

Each year, thousands of people participate in the San Diego County Fair as vendors, performers, competitive exhibitors, non-profit groups, sponsors or employees.

Webpage: 
http://www.sdfair.com

Show Dates:
June 22 - June 24

Mike Simmons, president and CEO of Astronomers Without Borders, a California based non-profit organization which brings people together from diverse cultures around the world through a common interest of sharing the sky, invited Celestron, along with the media, local astronomer club leaders, astronomy historians and notable VIP guests for a special 2012 transit of Venus viewing party.  The venue was the historic Mount Wilson Observatory, located in the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of Los Angeles.  Founded in 1904 by George Ellery Hale, Mount Wilson Observatory once laid claim for having the largest operational telescope in the world until 1948 – the 100-inch Hooker telescope.  Famous American Astronomer, Edwin P. Hubble, used the Hooker telescope to discover that faint nebulae were actually spiral galaxies (island universes) outside of our own Milky Way galaxy.

Under clear skies high above the LA Basin and right on schedule, Venus touched the solar limb and for the next five hours (as seen from LA), slowly crossed the face of the Sun for the very last time of the 21^st century.  We brought along our CPC 800 GPS (XLT) and NexStar 6SE with white light solar filters to visually observe and image this historic occasion with our DSLR cameras.  We also brought along our ultra-portable Solar Observer 70 which provided clear and stunning transit views from such a lightweight, grab-and-go package.  It was quite a sight to see all the telescopes on the observing field, ranging from vintage classics to modern day computerized and H-Alpha telescopes all pointed toward our nearest star!  Excitement filled the air as everyone gazed skyward to witness a part of history.

Throughout the day, Astronomers Without Borders streamed the transit of Venus viewing party live to a worldwide audience from the observatory’s grounds.  Mike and his co-host, Ian O’Neill, could be seen interviewing everyone on hand, including members of the Celestron team to share their thoughts.  In one rather unique interview, a gentleman even played his "Airmonica" musical device that sounded really "out of this world" and drew much applause from the audience.  Nine video segments were made and can be viewed here: http://www.astronomerswithoutborders.org/projects/transit-of-venus/live-webcast.html

As the Sun moved closer to the mountain tops, everyone trained their telescopes towards the setting Sun to have one last opportunity to glimpse the small black disk of Venus superimposed on the solar disk.  In one final hurrah moment, a commercial airliner was seen transiting the Sun as if to offer a final salute to this remarkable celestial event.  Yes, the moment was bittersweet as we all watched and said "good bye" knowing we will never see another transit of Venus ever again in our lifetime. However, after it sunk in a bit, we realized how fortunate we all were just to be alive on that particular day to witness a part of history. Celestron would like to thank Mike Simmons and his Astronomers Without Borders organization for inviting Celestron to join the special viewing party at the famous Mount Wilson Observatory.  We look forward to teaming up with you again at a future astronomical event, but surely it won't be 105 years!

To see photos from this event, please view our 'Transit of Venus at Mt. Wilson Observatory' photo album on Flickr Photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/celestron-blog/sets/72157630005538595/

Or on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.460871857258906.109073.210946172251477&type=1