National Geographic Adventure Names SkyScout "Best of Adventure Gear"

The Premiere Adventure Magazine honors portable Celestial Exploration Device For Its Innovation, Utility, Functionality, Value And Design

TORRANCE, CA – (November 15, 2006) – Celestron’s SkyScout personal planetarium has been named “Best of Adventure Gear” by National Geographic Adventure’s fourth annual year-end “Best of Adventure” gear awards. Judged to be a leader in innovation, utility, functionality, value and design by National Geographic Adventurer Magazine and its 45-member advisory board, the innovative handheld GPS stargazing device was awarded at a gala event held at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday November 14, 2006. As a “Best of Adventure” gear winner, SkyScout will be on display at various adventure events throughout January and March 2007.

"National Geographic Adventure's ‘Best of Adventure Gear Awards’ expert advisory board, made up of the nation’s leading outdoor retailers, are the real experts on the ground, and provide us with added insight as to what today’s outdoor adventure enthusiasts are excited about this year,” said National Geographic Adventure Editor in Chief John Rasmus. “We are always seeking out new and innovative gear like the SkyScout, that is in line with our mission of inspiring a lifetime of exploration and discovery among our adventurous and active audience.”

About the size of a camcorder and weighing less than 16 ounces, the Celestron SkyScout utilizes a consumer-friendly “point and shoot” GPS technology that enables stargazers to instantly identify and/or locate over 6,000 celestial objects in the sky with the press of a button and listen to commentary on the object and its history. The SkyScout also has a “locate” feature that allows users to select an object they wish to view and the SkyScout, using illuminated arrows in the viewfinder, will point the user to the object. A totally unique, one-of-a-kind product, SkyScout utilizes patented technology that combines data from sensors measuring both the magnetic and gravitational fields of the Earth, along with internal GPS and a substantial celestial database to dramatically improve how people learn about astronomy, making it much easier and more entertaining.

“Celestron has been engineering telescopes, spotting scopes, binoculars and microscopes for close to 50 years, and while most of our products are ideal for exploring the night sky, many are too cumbersome for an adventure hike,” said Joseph A. Lupica Jr., president and CEO of Celestron. “The SkyScout is a light, small, durable viewing device that transforms the night sky into a personal planetarium for ‘adventurers’ of all levels and backgrounds and we are thrilled to be recognized by the magazine that knows adventure best.”

About National Geographic Adventure Magazine
National Geographic Adventure, winner of four National Magazine Awards, including the 2003 Award for Leisure Interests and the 2002 Award for General Excellence, was launched in 1999 as a quarterly to serve an audience of active, adventurous readers and to propel National Geographic’s mission of exploration and discovery into the new century. The magazine rapidly expanded in both publishing frequency and circulation size. Now published 10 times a year, with a rate base of 525,000, it is available by subscription (800-NGS-LINE) and on newsstands in the United States ($4.95) and Canada ($6.95). The magazine’s Web site is www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure.

About Celestron
Celestron, is a 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 one of the world’s leading telescope makers, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology.  Celestron’s innovative 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 sells and markets its products worldwide through a variety of specialty retail outlets and international distributors. Celestron is a privately held company with corporate offices and manufacturing facilities, in Torrance, CA. For more information about Celestron and the SkyScout product please visit, or /skyscout.