Welcome to the 9th issue of Celestron's 2009 Newsletter!

This month we are proud to introduce Article Spotlight, the new section on Celestron.com.

This section will feature monthly articles by contributing industry professionals to inform, engage and enlighten you on their personal experiences in the astronomical community.

Sponsored by CelestronLife.com, our Article Spotlight allows you to leave comments on the articles and experience our growing community of like-minded individuals on CelestronLife.com..

« learn more | meet contributors | read first article »

	CGE PRO Mount Video

Earlier this year, Celestron unveiled CGE PRO, our ground-breaking new German Equatorial mount. Now, we are happy to announce the release of a documentary-style video, detailing the features of this robust new platform.

In addition to being fully computerized with a database of over 40,000 celestial objects, the New CGE Pro German Equatorial mount has been completely redesigned to offer numerous design advantages for the Astrophotographer...

« visit CGE PRO page   |   watch video »

CONTEST ENDS SEPT 30: WIN A VINTAGE C11

Celestron is proud to have its vintage C11 telescope signed by a previous owner - Leonard Nimoy exhibited at the Franklin Institute as a part of "STAR TREK: THE EXHIBITION"

« learn more about THE EXHIBITION   |   enter to WIN A VINTAGE C11 »

Community Relations Blog
by Kevin Kawai

OUTREACH: Boy Scout Troop 378

Throughout the summer, Boy Scout Troop 378, from Torrance, CA has been meeting weekly at a local community center to learn about astronomy, as part of a program that would assist them to earn their Astronomy Merit Badge. Troop Leader, Steven Yen, as well as volunteers from the South Bay Astronomical Society, conducted classes to teach the Scouts about the night sky, the different types of telescopes in use, the birth, life and death of stars, identifying the constellations and so much more. Steven had contacted me to help assist with a star party for the Scouts, but each time a date was set, the star party was always called off due to the marine layer, which is infamous around the South Bay this time of year. Finally, on Thursday, August 27, 2009, and after many delays, the marine layer withdrew and lifted far enough from land. The Boy Scouts Star Party was back on!

« see photo album   |   read blog entry »

We really hope you've enjoyed reading this newsletter.
Please submit your feedback here:
http://www.celestronlife.com/blogs/entry/2009-Newsletter-Issue-9

Clear Skies!

Celestron Marketing Team

	Event Calendar Black Forest Star Party September 18-20 Pennsylvania, USA The Black Forest Star Party is an annual dark-sky amateur astronomy observing event hosted by the Central Pennsylvania Observers (CPO). Held every year since 1999, the BFSP generally spans a weekend in the late summer or early fall in Cherry Springs State Park in Potter County, Pennsylvania. read more » Astronomy at the Beach September 26-26 Michigan, USA Great Lakes Association of Astronomy Clubs (GLAAC) presents their 13th Annual Astronomy at the Beach. Friday & Saturday, September 25th & 26th at Maple Beach, inside Kensington Metropark, from 6 pm - midnight (rain or shine) read more » 2009 PATS September 26-27 California, USA Be part of the most exciting astronomy and telescope show on the West Coast. 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... read more »

post your own Star Party on CelestronLife.com »

Event Recaps
by Kevin Kawai

	Starfest Canada 2009 August 20-23rd
Starfest, the 28th annual celebration of astronomy, took place on August 20-23, 2009 at the River Place Park family campground site. Starfest is recognized as one of the top seven star parties in North America by Sky & Telescope magazine and is visibly Canada's largest annual observing convention and star party. Nearly 600 astronomy enthusiasts from Canada and the USA joined in with the festivities...
« photo GALLERY | read Blog entry »

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Welcome to the 4th issue of Celestron's 2009 Newsletter.

As we continue the celebration of the International Year of Astronomy, the focus of this issue is the part Celestron plays in the global astronomical community....

Introducing SkyScout IYA Edition

Just in time for an official "kick off" of IYA festivities in Philadelphia, Celestron has announced the release of a (very) Limited Edition IYA2009 SkyScout.

This version of SkyScout features the limited edition IYA Expansion card that contains detailed information regarding important IYA and Celestial events taking place each month throughout 2009.

SPOTLIGHT: 100 Hours of Astronomy

100 Hours of Astronomy (100HA) was a tremendously successful global astronomy event that took place from 2nd to 5th of April with a sole purpose to expose as many people as possible to the timeless hobby of astronomy! Celestron sent out teams to three of the numerous events taking place around the world. Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA see photos »   Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, CA see photos »   Irvine Spectrum, Irvine, CA see photos » Across the pond, in Germany, our local distributor, Baader-Planetarium participated in a tremendously successful 100HA event held in the center of Munich. See Munich photos: Gallery 1 | Gallery 2 | Gallery 3 We have brought back priceless memories and awesome photos. Most importantly we made a few new friends and renewed our passion for the hobby. Read 100HA blogs from around the world on CelestronLife.com » You may also share your 100HA stories, images and even videos on CelestronLife.com

	NEW ON CELESTRON.com: FirstScope Update
	The talented folks in our multimedia department have recently unveiled a trailer for the upcoming FirstScope Tour.

BTW, did you know that...

• FirstScope is now available for purchase on Celestron.com
• We have just announced the accessory kit for FirstScope

INSIDE CELESTRON: Community Relations

In 2008 Celestron launched an innovative community outreach program. There are two key aspects to the program, development of online communities (like CelestronLife and CelestronImages) as well as "boots on the ground", old fashioned human outreach. To accomplish the latter, the Community Relations department was formed. In this issue, we would like to highlight the great work done by these brave men and women led by our Community Relations Coordinator, Kevin Kawai. Check out Kevin's CelestronLife.com Profile and our Flickr Photo Album to see the awesome places their work has taken them and the wonderful people they met along the way.