One Neighborhood at a Time: Celestron and #Popscope Announce New Partnership for Community Astronomy

Torrance, CA (April 6, 2016) - Celestron, a world leader in telescope manufacturing, and #popscope, a grassroots community-based astronomy movement, announced a new partnership today. Telescopes and support provided by Celestron will enhance #popscope’s mission of reconnecting diverse communities to the night sky -- and to each other. #Popscope is an urban astronomy movement that hosts “pop-up” astronomy nights in diverse urban neighborhoods. Since its launch in Ottawa, Ontario in February 2014, the group’s vision has been threefold: (1) to educate people from all walks of life about astronomy, (2) to bring diverse communities together, and, (3) to make use of public spaces in new and unexpected ways. Since purchasing their first Celestron 70mm telescope two years ago, #popscope has expanded its mission to four more cities, namely Philadelphia, Baltimore, Jacksonville, and New York. Providing science and astronomy experiences to underserved communities is a priority for #popscope. Despite its rapid growth, the group maintains an accessible, inclusive, and fun shared culture that challenges the ways in which people connect with and learn from each other.
Celestron has been a fixture at star parties and public astronomy events for decades, but many of these larger events can be far from urban centers and somewhat intimidating to novices. With this partnership, #popscope and Celestron hope to reach communities that would otherwise never be exposed to amateur astronomy much less ever view the Moon or Jupiter through a telescope. Indeed, while many traditional events focus on pristine seeing conditions, expert advice, and the best gear, Celestron and #popscope prioritize getting everyday people in front of the eyepiece by any means necessary. Seeing the rings of Saturn with their own eyes has a profound effect on just about everybody who has the access. With this new partnership, Celestron and #popscope are dedicated to building the hobby of amateur astronomy on street corners and in suburban parks across the country so that all may share in the wonders of the night sky.
To learn more about the group, including how to get involved, please visit www.popscope.org.

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 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. Discover more at Celestron.com