TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Celestron(R), a leading manufacturer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes, announced today that William Shatner has been named "the person most deserving of a star named in their honor" according to the results of a recent people's choice online poll taken in conjunction with Celestron's Ultimate Backyard Adventure Sweepstakes promotion.

Best known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in the popular Star Trek TV and film series, the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor, director, producer, screenwriter, recording artist and author claimed his rightful place in the night sky as he edged out Oprah Winfrey and Tiger Woods to take the people's choice title for "most deserving of their own star." Other notable nominees included Edward "Buzz" Aldrin, Carl Sagan, Bill Clinton, Angelina Jolie, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bill Gates and The Simpsons.

"I'm honored to be the people's top choice to have a star named after me," commented Mr. Shatner. "I believe that you head toward the North Star and turn left, the one on the right is mine."

In addition to his celestial status, Mr. Shatner also received a Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium(R), the revolutionary handheld device that uses advanced GPS technology with point and click convenience to identify thousands of stars, planets, constellations and more.

"Mr. Shatner and the entire Star Trek franchise has had a tremendous impact on the pace of scientific and technological advancements as they inspired a new generation of world-changing scientists and inventors that would go on to revolutionize space exploration and consumer technology, paving the way for advanced products like the SkyScout Personal Planetarium," said Joseph A. Lupica Jr., president and CEO of Celestron.

About the size of a camcorder and weighing less than 16 ounces, the 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. The SkyScout also has a "locate" feature that allows users to select an object they wish to view (i.e. Mars) and the SkyScout, using illuminated arrows in the viewfinder, will point the user to the object.

Prior to naming Mr. Shatner as the online poll winner, Celestron announced that Robert Papuga from Morganton, North Carolina had been randomly selected from a pool of over 80,000 entries to win the Ultimate Backyard Adventure Sweepstakes adventure pack, complete with a Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium, NexStar(R) 6 SE computerized telescope, VistaPix(R) IS70 digital spotting scope, Traveler(R) 8 24X25 binoculars and all the camping gear needed to enjoy a family camping trip under the stars.

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/.

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

Web site: http://www.celestron.com/
http://www.myskyscout.com/