Tom Johnson started Celestron by building a telescope for his sons because there wasn't a decent option on the market at a reasonable price. From this humble beginning Tom's hobby became a small business, and within a few short years the amateur astronomy world was rocked by his revolutionary telescope manufacturing process, which kept costs down while still providing top quality. The first of these revolutionary Celestron Telescopes was the Celestron C8, versions of which are still sold today. A huge number of Academic Institutions have turned to Celestron over the years for their telescopes, as they are perfect for beginners and pros alike. Superior optics with the latest lens coatings, top quality but lightweight mechanical components, user friendly comfortable designs and extensive testing have all come together to make Celestron Telescopes one of the most popular and trusted choices for astronomers throughout the world.