What do you get when you combine more than 50 innovative telescope, camera, and accessory dealers with 1,000 eager amateur astronomers? The answer is the Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show (PATS), which is happening this weekend in Pasadena, California.

As the Astronomy editor who mainly works with the hobby and equipment aspects of our science, I’m always eager to see new products from manufacturers. Well, the first day of PATS did not disappoint.

I saw new products by Celestron, Howie Glatter’s Lasers, Orion Telescopes, Rigel Systems, and Tele Vue. Representatives from other manufacturers also told me they were close to unveiling new products. I’ll probably see some of those during my next trip to California Halloween weekend. That’s when the Advanced Imaging Conference takes place. Look for reviews and mentions of lots of new products on Astronomy’s New Products page in upcoming issues.

The manufacturer representatives I talked to all were happy with the turnout. One satisfied rep told me he already had sold four times as much equipment during the first morning as he had through all of the 2008 PATS.

This is PATS’ second year, and it’s in a different part of the convention center compared to where it was last year. The difference? This new area has no carpeting, so I’ve been on “high voice” all day. When the organizers make announcements (and they are frequent), all conversation immediately stops. That’s tough on editors trying to capture video interviews for Astronomy.com. Walking on cement all day made my feet quite tired, and I didn’t even make it the entire way around the hall. Oh, well. That’s what tomorrow’s for.

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