Celestron, well know for its quality telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, weather stations, GPS devices, microscopes and related accessories, received the honor at a ceremony on Monday this week in New York. Popular Mechanics awarded the prize for a total of 10 innovative products and individuals.
“From off the shelf blood vessels to a cell phone tower the size of a Rubik’s Cube, our Breakthrough Award winners not only capture the imagination, but hold the potential to improve and save lives,” says Popular Mechanics Editor-in-Chief James Meigs. “We are pleased to honor this year’s diverse list of visionaries, James Cameron among them, as they are shaping the future of innovation.”
The SkyProdigy telescope was a standout for features including Celestron’s patent pending StarSense™ Technology. With an internal tracking camera and a database which catalogs more than 4000 stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects, the SkyProdigy is able to align itself within about 3 minutes and is ready for stargazing.
According to its manufacturer, the Celeston SkyProdigy currently ranks as the fastest automatically aligning telescope available on the market today.
“Celestron is honored to be recognized among so many passionate innovators and we thank Popular Mechanics for their support of SkyProdigy,” said Joseph A. Lupica Jr, president and CEO of Celestron. “SkyProdigy makes exploring our amazing Universe easier and faster than ever before, turning anyone into an instant astronomer.”
The current award comes on the heels of similar praise at the 2011 CES (Consumer Electronics Show). At the CES, the SkyProdigy was also the winner of the 2011 CES Innovations Award for Design and Engineering Excellence. The telescope was also a recieient of the Popular Mechanics Editor’s Choice Award winner at the show.
According to Celestron, the SkyProdigy is for sale in 3 models:
• Refracting telescope — SkyProdigy 70 (Suggested Retail: $699)
• Maksutov-Cassegrain design — SkyProdigy 90 (Suggested Retail: $749)
• Reflecting telescope — SkyProdigy 130 (Suggested Retail: $799)
The Celestron web site (visit www.celestron.com) offers additional details about the SkyProdigy and other telescopes and products.