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CNers have asked about a donation box for Cloudy Nights over the years, so here you go. Donation is not required by any means, so please enjoy your stay.

AZ Public stargazing

Started by skyward_eyes , Feb 26 2012 01:07 AM

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5 replies to this topic

#1 skyward_eyes

Vendor - Sky-Watcher USA

topic starter

Posts: 5,679
Joined: 12 Dec 2006

Posted 26 February 2012 - 01:07 AM

Last night Focus helped out at a local astronomy event in Peoria, AZ along side Stargazing for Everyone. I brought out the usual 16" dob along with a collection of meteorites, the IPad as well as a Celestron Firstscope.

We had two beginners come out this evening with their scopes, after a half hour or so we got them up and running and very excited about their scopes! Always good to help out someone who is just starting, no matter their age.

As the night progressed a family came to the 16" had a look and then wondered off. Shortly after they returned, the middle child, a young man around 13 or so wanted to know the cost of the 16", I said around $4,000 or so. I went to the truck and pulled out one of the Celestron Firstscopes and explained that they were excellent starter scopes. I told them what they sold for and after seeing there excitment I ended up giving it to the young family to keep her son's excitement alive. I had four of these scopes donated to me from Celestron to hand out to kids I felt were excited enough. The boy was blown away that he had just been given a scope. It was an excellent feeling to be able to give back in such a way.

As the night progressed we began to get nice views of Mars, especially through the larger scopes. Many people enjoyed getting their hands on the meteorites and being able to hold something from space. Over all it was an excellent night and I wish I had pictures but I just never have time to take any with the crowd. Hopefully someday soon.

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#2 AZStarGuy

Surveyor 1

Posts: 1,515
Joined: 05 May 2008

Posted 26 February 2012 - 09:15 AM

Nice work Kevin! It's a great feeling when you know something "clicked" with someone at the event. It makes it all worth while. I know you do a ton of outreach out here. Keep it up!! You're a great ambassador.

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#3 ArizonaScott

Fly Me to the Moon

Posts: 6,413
Joined: 29 Apr 2004

Posted 26 February 2012 - 10:31 AM

I went to the truck and pulled out one of the Celestron Firstscopes and explained that they were excellent starter scopes. I told them what they sold for and after seeing there excitment I ended up giving it to the young family to keep her son's excitement alive. I had four of these scopes donated to me from Celestron to hand out to kids I felt were excited enough. The boy was blown away that he had just been given a scope. It was an excellent feeling to be able to give back in such a way.

Kevin, that is AWESOME! :jump:

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#4 Skylook123

Cosmos

Posts: 7,873
Joined: 30 Apr 2005

Posted 26 February 2012 - 10:33 AM

Kevin, I wish you could have seen the look on the young girl's face at the Grand Canyon Star Party last June, the last night, when Dennis Young gave her one of your donated Firstscopes during the night talk. She hugged the box like a teddy bear. Priceless.

:bow: