—The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) is soon approaching and it promises to be a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, highlighted by the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo in 1609. Please check out the IYA2009 website.

—For the world’s best selection of telescopes (Galilean plus many, many others) and superior advice on how to use them, contact OPT, Oceanside Photo and Telescope.