One of the most amazing facets of having a knowledge of astronomy and possession of a telescope is its unique ability to draw humankind towards it. Like a campfire on a frosty Fall evening, a candle lit in a powerless room or a story offered to a quiet and hungry mind, there’s an allure to the stars. It may be as simple as reciting a verse of poetry learned as a child, or as complex as an evening’s viewing session, but there are tools within our reach to make a difference in others perceive the Universe around them.

Love of the night sky, an interest in astronomy, learning to use a telescope... None of these things can be forced. It is a lesson that all amateur astronomers learn quickly. No matter how passionate we may be about what we see and what we do, there is no guarantee that our spouses, friends or family will share the same enthusiasm. I’ve noticed that astronomy tends to begin as a personal voyage – an intimate learning experience. We go through aperture fever, optical perfection and even succumb to as much technological advancement as we’re able to absorb. After some time there may come the need to find other like-minded individuals – or you may find yourself drifting in the vast Sargasso Sea where your interest wanes and your equipment gathers dust. But, there can be another stage to the journey. It might be a group of observing friends, an astronomy club or it just might involve something a little bit deeper... a way of recapturing that child-like wonder you first felt when you looked through a telescope and understood what you were seeing.

“Star light, star bright... First star I see tonight...”

Over the years Celestron equipment has proved itself to be the most valuable asset an outreach astronomer could ask for. In a world where funding is scarce, Celestron provides high quality optics at down-to-Earth prices. In situations where equipment gets used, and used well, Celestron provides rugged durability which invites you to take it anywhere at any time. And, most important of all, Celestron equipment performs.

“I wish I may... I wish I might...”

One of the more recent additions to the Celestron family is the Celestron SkyScout Scope 90. Through the generosity of Oceanside Telescope (OPT), a tireless group of astronomy outreach workers had the opportunity to introduce this very remarkable piece of equipment (along with the SkyScout Expansion Pack and Speakers) to the hungry public during the 2009 International Year of Astronomy with outstanding results. Instead of a technically intimidating telescope that strikes fear into the hearts of visiting parents with active children, before them stands a rather simplistic scope... one that talks.

While there are a great many telescopes that perform these same functions and even go well beyond, the Celestron SkyScout Scope 90 shines brighter than any other star in the night sky. Why? Because it requires the viewer to interact with it. Without “GoTo” capabilities, the user must learn the functions of the telescope and mount... soon becoming comfortable with the equipment itself. The SkyScout unit can be left in a simple mode. With its intuitive “iPod like” features, budding astronomers of all ages use their own minds as to where and what to aim at. Because it doesn’t provide unrealistic video clips to go with each object, the user soon learns to appreciate both the audio and scrolling lessons – using their mind and eyes to describe to others what they see. Left alone with natural curiosity, they venture well beyond what a physical tutor can do for them. Why? Because they can aim and whatever they want.. Whatever they see... And...

“Have the wish I wish tonight.”

Will astronomy outreach with electronic gadgetry take the place of a living, breathing person? Not hardly. Equipment like the Celestron SkyScout and SkyScout Scope 90 will provide an educational outlet for some of those quiet individuals who are afraid to ask to look at a certain point of light in the sky for fear it might not be an “intelligent choice”. For them, locating, identifying and learning with their own two hands and eyes becomes an experience to be savored... a rare treat unlike most “show and tell” astronomy sessions. They make the decisions. They are in control. They are starlight. They are golden.

And somewhere in the shadows we stand. We aren’t lost. We aren’t forgotten. We are not alone. In this moment we are given something we all too frequently miss... the chance to watch the spark ignite in someone else’s eyes.

“Star light... Star bright...”

There are times when even the smallest decision can change everything about you and alter the course of others for life. You might not know it when it happens - because it may seem as insignificant as what to order for dinner, what Christmas present to choose, or what radio station you listened to that morning. But sometimes the Cosmos has a grand scheme waiting for you if you're willing to listen. In this case, it's the story of a Celestron telescope - one that's endured through decades of use and three generations of star gazers.

It all began in the mid-1980's with a “Cometron” telescope, bought to view Halley's Comet. Those were the halcyon days before the Internet. Learning the night sky was a slow and painful process because no ready open sources were available for instructions and few places (besides the local library) available for learning. I was hard on a telescope because I didn't know any better. Nearly a decade of use later, there wasn't much left of that old refractor but fond memories. I was ready for bigger and better things. No more attaching the optical tube to a vise for a mount, no more squinty little eyepieces. I wanted the big time. It was Christmas 1994 and I had no idea then what kind of role that a Celestron FirstScope would end up playing in my life...

And no clue just how "big" it was going to get.

The Celestron 114 Newtonian reflector and its well-manufactured equatorial mount opened my eyes. Comet Hale-Bopp, solar eclipse chasing, sunspots, variable stars, double stars, galaxies, lunar transient phenomena, star clusters, nebula... The night sky became my companion and the FirstScope my teacher. Together we learned to read complicated star charts, use setting circles, judge magnitudes and sky conditions, take notes and do astronomical sketching. Many nights and days were spent observing - be it with my old dog - or with my nearly grown sons. It was a world we traveled in alone - never knowing there were others that enjoyed the same hobby. Aperture fever soon enough had me in its grip and what better way to cure a fever than with a big Celestron Starhopper?

By the time telescope size had increased, so the world of communications had expanded. The Internet had entered my life in the form of a WebTV unit. The boys had long ago discovered girls and a new dog replaced an old one. When my Mother told me she heard about some people meeting with telescopes on the radio, I finally knew I wasn't alone. It was the first time the Celestron 114 was about to travel away from my rural backyard - and the beginning of its many journeys around the world. The event was my first public outreach and my introduction to Warren Rupp Observatory. From there, I knew there wasn't any more going ”back home”.

Even though I had met some members of the astronomy club at their outreach event, I was shy my first night at the Observatory - afraid to put that little telescope alongside such fine, big company. Who was I but an older woman with no professional experience next to these guys? An hour after dark later, I knew who I was. I was a woman with a star chart in her head and a little telescope that could mop up the skies. One that would eventually change the history of the Observatory just as surely as volunteering at the Observatory changed me...

And everything old became new again.

Did we travel? Oh, yes. The Celestron FirstScope has been all over the continental United States. We've quested in the south for Omega Centauri and chased eclipses from border to border. It's been unceremoniously stuffed in the trunk of many sports cars to be hauled across state lines on vacations and off to public outreach events. It's been shipped across the world and battered in the belly of an airplane. For months at a time, the FirstScope would often stay fully assembled so it could be quickly set outside the garage for daily solar, lunar and planetary viewing. It watched my sons grow as we exchanged confidences and solved problems under the comfortable cloak of darkness. It saw the birth of my grandchildren and their first views of the stars. It was my workhorse, my friend, my mentor... my telescope.

As time went on, I grew to trust Celestron's durable quality. It isn't just Celestron Life - it's Celestron for life. Like creating new recipes in the kitchen, Celestron came out with many designs that ended up part of my personal telescope fleet. While there were tasty treats that might have only appealed to a few and lasted for awhile, there were many winner dinners which have also endured the test of time to become family favorites. Yet, no matter how many times I might upgrade, trade or replace a Celestron telescope, I never had the heart to let go of the enduring FirstScope. Somehow, it felt like there was a reason I had to keep it around.

The years passed and my hobby in astronomy soon turned into a career. Although I am not a professional astronomer, I realized a need many years ago to open friendly, natural communications about astronomy and how to use a telescope. Although I learned the "hard” way, I knew I couldn't keep what I had learned to myself. Sharing the sky and the passion for what I do became my primary goal. The Celestron 114 followed me to what I thought was to be a permanent home at Warren Rupp Observatory as an historic piece - but it had other plans. Every time I looked at it, it would all but walk around on its three black legs and cry to be used again at more than just public nights.

And it didn't have long to wait...

Once in awhile you meet up with karma and you'll know it when it comes to call. Our Observatory outreach had encouraged a new member, and he and his grandson have a passion which matches perfectly with everything the Celestron 114 FirstScope stands for. Many months ago, I told him to take the scope home with him and learn... it deserved to be used again. Although he was a little bit afraid of it, he took my advice and he and his grandson embarked upon a celestial journey that's only beginning for them. Into their hands has come a case of Celestron eyepieces and filters. And, like long ago, that same old solar filter and a new canine companion to complete the circle.

So what has become of Celestron FirstScope service and Warren Rupp Observatory? Just as surely as the Earth orbits the Sun, what goes around comes around. OPT Telescopes heard about our outreach efforts and understood that in order for us to keep our educational programs free to the public that we'd need donations... and donate they did. Not only do the many Celestron telescopes of our members serve the public, but OPT provided us with a fleet of Celestron FirstScope Telescopes and Celestron FirstScope Accessory Kits to serve the thousands of children we educate about the night sky each year. Because sometimes...

Everything old comes to new again.