Explore Scientific Lends its Support for the AstronomyOutreach Awards (the AstroOscars)!

Explore Scientific is lending its support to the AstronomyOutreach network's AstroOscar Awards, a program to recognize exemplary outreach by organizations and individuals to increase awareness and understanding of astronomy, by donating an 82° Series Eyepiece to the organization of the recipient's choice.

The 6th Annual AstroOscars Awards were announced as they have been every year at the Winter Star Party in the Florida Keys. Winners this year included Dr. Donald C. Parker, Dr. David and Wendee Levy, the Rockland Astronomy Club, and a special award for Dr. Mike Reynolds. Each them received a plaque commemorating this recognition of their contributions towards the understanding of astronomy to the public at large in an effort to increase scientific literacy.

Past Recipients include Robert Nemiroff and Jerry Bonnell (NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day), Kay Ferrari (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California), Jack Horkheimer (PBS, Star Hustler), Kitt Peak Observatory Public Outreach Office (University of Arizona), Astronomy and Sky & Telescope, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and the Southern Cross Astronomical Society (Miami, Florida).

The 2009 Outreach Awards Selection Committee was chaired by Scott W. Roberts (AstronomyOutreach Network founder and Explore Scientific Manager) and also included Tippy D'Auria (Founder of the Winter Star Party and renown lecturer) and Dr. Stephen J. Edberg (Director of the Riverside Telescope Makers Conference, author, and JPL scientist). The awards are generously sponsored by Oceanside Photo & Telescope (Oceanside, California).

The AstronomyOutreach network was created ten years ago as a channel for interacting with the community and to practice outreach. The website offers the visitor information and contacts in astronomy, links to find lecturers, and articles spotlighting those who do outreach. In addition AstronomyOutreach supports a usergroup for those involved in education and public outreach in astronomy to support scientific literacy.