Celestron(R) Teams up With The History Channel(R) to Test Viewers' Knowledge of the Universe for a Chance to win 'Out-Of-This-World' Backyard Stargazing Prizes

Celestron(R) Teams up With The History Channel(R) to Test Viewers' Knowledge of the Universe for a Chance to win 'Out-Of-This-World' Backyard Stargazing Prizes

The Universe: Get Your Mind Blown Sweepstakes Sponsored by The History Channel Gives Viewers a Chance To Extend Their Knowledge of The Universe With SkyScout(R) Personal Planetariums(TM) And NexStar(R) 60 SLT Computerized Telescopes

TORRANCE, Calif., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Celestron(R), a leading designer, manufacturer and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes, is teaming up with The History Channel(R) and its new series The Universe, to give space enthusiasts a chance to win a trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and a cache of award-winning Celestron products, including the revolutionary SkyScout(R) Personal Planetarium(TM) and the NexStar(R) 60 SLT computerized telescope. Consumers are encouraged to watch The Universe Tuesdays at 9pm/8c then enter the sweepstakes by logging on to http://www.history.com/universe/sweepstakes/index.jsp, from July 11th to September 11th, 2007, to test their "universe" of knowledge in an online trivia game for the chance to win mind blowing prizes.

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.

Recipient of numerous awards, honors and many accolades, SkyScout has been named "Best of America" by the editors of Reader's Digest magazine, is the 2006 titleholder of PC Magazine's Last Gadget Standing and is a recipient of Backpacker magazine and Popular Mechanic's Editors' Choice Awards.

Designed to be an affordable entry level to mid-level computerized telescope, the NexStar Star Locating Telescopes (SLT) are loaded with features designed to make astronomy fun, exciting and most importantly, easy for star watchers of all experience levels. Each of the NexStar SLT telescopes uses Celestron's innovative SkyAlign(R) technology to automatically align the telescope for optimum viewing of any star, planet or galaxy.

"We are proud supporters of programs that delve into the fascinating mysteries of the Universe," said Joseph A. Lupica Jr., president and CEO of Celestron. "Having provided our own spectacular celestial views to stargazers for almost five decades with computerized telescopes, astrophotography tools and educational tools like the SkyScout, we look forward to hearing the details and fascinating stories behind space discoveries from the scientists and explorers who have made them possible, as only The History Channel can tell them."

The Universe series premiered on The History Channel on May 29, 2007. From the planets to the stars and out to the edge of the unknown, history and science collide in the new series The Universe. Using cutting-edge computer graphics, this series brings the Universe down to earth to show what life would be like on other planets, to imagine what life forms might evolve in alien atmospheres and to examine how discoveries have been made. Episodes include "Secrets of the Sun," "The End of the Earth," "Saturn: Life and Death of A Star," and more.

About The History Channel(R)

The History Channel(R) is a leading cable television network featuring compelling original, non-fiction specials and series that bring history to life in a powerful and entertaining manner across multiple platforms. The network provides an inviting place where people experience history in new and exciting ways enabling them to connect their lives today to the great lives and events of the past that provide a blueprint for the future. The History Channel has earned four Peabody Awards, three Primetime Emmy(R) Awards, ten News & Documentary Emmy(R) Awards and received the prestigious Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the network's Save Our History(R) campaign dedicated to historic preservation and history education. The History Channel reaches more than 93 million Nielsen subscribers. The website is located at http://www.history.com/.

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, http://www.celestron.com/ and http://www.myskyscout.com/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Celestron

CONTACT: William Ostedt, wostedt@ppmgcorp.com or Lisa Townsend
ltownsend@ppmgcorp.com, both of The Pollack PR Marketing Group,
+1-310-556-4443, for Celestron; or Vicki Catterton, Marketing Manager of
Celestron, +1-310-328-9560, ext. 298, vcatterton@celestron.com

Web site:

http://www.celestron.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information and photography please visit us on the web at http://www.historychannelpress.com.

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