IDA, a non-profit organization fighting to preserve the night sky, has announced a new partnership with Celestron, a designer and manufacturer of high-quality optical products (including telescopes).

The International Dark-Sky Association has announced a new partnership with Celestron, a telescope designer and manufacturer, to help save the endangered starry skies.

In celebration of the upcoming television series COSMOS: A SPACETIME ODYSSEY, airing on FOX and the National Geographic Channel, Celestron is introducing the COSMOS• 60AZ Telescope.

In support of IDA's mission, Celestron is donating a portion of the COSMOS 60AZ Telescope proceeds to IDA. To help grow IDA's membership and spread awareness about light pollution, every COSMOS 60AZ Telescope will also include a free one-year IDA membership.

"The loss of a starry night sky disconnects us from the natural world and reduces our ability to experience the wonders of the universe," said IDA Executive Director Bob Parks. "Celestron's generous support helps us continue to preserve and protect the natural night sky."

COSMOS: A SPACETIME ODYSSEY, set to premiere Sunday, March 9 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX and Monday, March 10 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) on National Geographic Channel, continues the adventure of Carl Sagan's Emmy???(R)???AE???? Award-winning series "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage."

In the 34 years since the first "Cosmos" television series debuted, light pollution has increased to levels that deprive eight out of ten children in the United States and two-thirds of the world population the experience of viewing the Milky Way.

"Celestron has long been a supporter of IDA and the great work it does towards curbing light pollution," commented Dave Anderson, CEO of Celestron. "Providing IDA with a portion of the proceeds from one of our quality telescopes to assist with its efforts to preserve dark skies is the least we can do. We are proud to be an official corporate sponsor of IDA."

The COSMOS 60AZ Telescope will be available March 2014 at select retailers. Learn more about the COSMOS 60AZ Telescope and other COSMOS products at Celestron.com/cosmos.

For more information about this partnership please visit darksky.org.

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