Astronomical League and OpticsPlanet Collaboration

OpticsPlanet is a proud sponsor of Astronomical League. Composed of over two hundred and forty local amateur astronomical societies across the United States, Astronomical League is one of the largest amateur astronomical organizations in the United States. OpticsPlanet is expanding our support of astronomical community and increasing our astronomical telescopes product lines.

OpticsPlanet supports Astronomical League and their goal to encourage an interest in astronomy (and especially amateur astronomy) around the world. Many people have seen pictures of the other planets in our Solar System from spacecraft, but have no idea that they too can see these objects with a telescope. Astronomical League encourages people to get access to telescopes, whether it is through their local astronomical society, school, or their own scopes, and use them to view the beauty in the heavens.

Astronomical League Conventions provide an opportunity for amateur astronomers all over the country to gather together to learn and exchange ideas, techniques, and opinions on astronomy and telescopes. All of our conventions provide professional astronomers to address the attendees about their field of expertise. This allows the amateur to learn about the latest discoveries in astronomy directly from the astronomers making the discoveries.

Astro league initiated a variety of observational clubs for amateur astronomers to gather and exchange ideas. The Observing Clubs offer encouragement and certificates of accomplishment for demonstrating observing skills with a variety of instruments and objects. Each Club offers a certificate based upon achieving certain observing goals and a beautiful award pin. These are usually in the form of a specific number of objects of a specific group with a given type of either refractor telescope, reflector telescope or computerized GOTO systems telescopes. Each program is designed not only to illustrate a variety of objects in the sky, but to also familiarize yourself with your telescope and how to use it; celestial navigation, the ability to find the objects in the vastness of space; to learn some eye training techniques which will enhance your viewing of the objects of each program.

Astronomy Day is a grass roots movement designed and implemented by members of Astronomical League to share the joy of astronomy with the general population - "Bringing Astronomy to the People." On Astronomy Day, thousands of people who have never looked through a tele scope or an astronomy binocular will have an opportunity to see first hand what has so many amateur and professional astronomers all excited. Astronomy clubs, science museums, observatories, universities, planetariums, laboratories, libraries, and nature centers host special events and activities to acquaint their population with local astronomical resources and facilities. Many of these events are located at non-astronomical sites; shopping malls, parks, urban centers—truly Bringing Astronomy to the People. It is an astronomical PR event that helps highlight ways the general public can get involved with astronomy - or at least get some of their questions about astronomy answered.

Want to know how does a telescope work or how to choose the right telescope for your needs? Visit our Astronomical Telescope page for these helpful links and more.