Which celebrity endorsement in the 1990s is credited with causing a 'Comet Effect' in telescope sales, resulting in unprecedented retail growth for astronomy equipment?

In the competitive world of astronomy retail, brand partnerships have played a crucial role in democratizing stargazing. One particular collaboration between a telescope manufacturer and a well-known personality in the 1990s led to a massive surge in amateur astronomy interest, making telescopes a must-have item for households across America. This partnership fundamentally changed how astronomy products were marketed to the general public and remains a case study in successful celebrity endorsements for scientific equipment.

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Carl Sagan's partnership with Celestron following his 'Cosmos' series
Johnny Carson's regular promotion of Meade telescopes on The Tonight Show
Stephen Hawking's limited edition line of Orion telescopes
John Dobson's collaboration with Sky-Watcher, popularizing the Dobsonian telescope design