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Celestron has reinvented the manual telescope with StarSense Explorer—the first telescope that uses your smartphone to analyze the night sky and calculate its position in real time. StarSense Explorer is ideal for beginners thanks to the app’s user-friendly interface and detailed tutorials. It’s like having your own personal tour guide of the night sky.
Dock, Launch, Explore
Leave complicated star charts, imprecise planetarium apps, and computerized mounts behind. With StarSense Explorer, locating objects has never been easier, faster, or more accurate. Within minutes of setting up the telescope, you’ll be navigating the sky with confidence. Simply place your phone in the unique StarSense dock and launch the StarSense Explorer app. After aligning your phone to the telescope’s optics (a quick, 2-minute procedure), StarSense Explorer generates a list of celestial objects currently visible. Make your selection and arrows appear onscreen, guiding you as you to move the telescope. When the object is ready to view, the bullseye turns green.
Smartphone Compatibility
StarSense Explorer works with most modern smartphones, including iPhone 6 and up and most devices running Android 7.1.2 or later manufactured since 2016. For a complete compatibility list, click here.
Patented StarSense Sky Recognition Technology
StarSense Explorer uses patented technology and your smartphone to determine exactly where the telescope is pointed in the night sky. A Lost in Space Algorithm (LISA), like the ones satellites use in orbit to correctly orient themselves, helps the app match star patterns it detects overhead to its internal database.
While other astronomy apps may claim that they can help you find objects, they rely exclusively on the phone’s gyros and accelerometers, which aren’t as accurate as LISA technology. No other app can accurately tell you when your target is visible in the eyepiece.
High Quality Altazimuth Mount with Slow Motion Control
An ultra-stable altazimuth mount provides a sturdy foundation for StarSense Explorer DX. Slip clutches and geared slow motion controls in both axes help you move the telescope smoothly and zero in your target. As celestial objects appear to drift across the night sky, you’ll be able to follow them with just a few turns of the knobs. It’s all anchored by an adjustable, full-height tripod.
Dazzling Views with High Quality Optics
With a large 130mm (5”) objective lens, this telescope has enough light gathering ability to bring out impressive detail in celestial objects. You can expect sharp, bright views of Jupiter’s four Galilean moons, its cloud bands and Great Red Spot, the rings of Saturn, the trapezium in the Orion Nebula, and beautiful Pleiades Open Star Cluster. Highly reflective coatings on both the primary and secondary mirror enhance the views even more.
Perfect for the City or Dark Sky Sites
Even if you live in a light polluted city location, StarSense Explorer is advanced enough to be able to pick out Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, the Orion Nebula, double stars, and a few more of the most famous celestial objects.
But if you can take the telescope to an even slightly darker location, more objects will become visible. With this 5” Newtonian and relatively dark skies, the Andromeda Galaxy, Hercules Open Star Cluster, and so many more are easily within your reach.
The entire telescope kit weighs just 18 pounds, so it’s perfectly portable and easy to bring on your next camping trip or to a remote observing site.
Everything You Need to Observe Immediately
When you unbox your new StarSense Explorer DX, you’ll find:
| OPTICAL TUBE INFO: | |
|---|---|
| Optical Design: | Newtonian Reflector |
| Aperture: | 130mm (5.11") |
| Focal Length: | 650mm (25.59") |
| Focal Ratio: | f/5 |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: | 25mm (0.98") |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 1: | 26x |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 2: | 10mm (0.39") |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 2: | 65x |
| Barlow Lens: | Not Included |
| Finderscope: | StarPointer™ red dot finderscope |
| Optical Tube: | Steel |
| Highest Useful Magnification: | 307x |
| Lowest Useful Magnification: | 19x |
| Limiting Stellar Magnitude: | 13.1 |
| Resolution (Rayleigh): | 1.07 arc seconds |
| Resolution (Dawes): | .89 arc seconds |
| Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye): | 345x |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction: | 45mm (1.73") |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter: | 34% |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area: | 11% |
| Optical Coatings: | Glass mirrors coated with aluminum and SiO₂ |
| Optical Tube Length: | 635mm (25") |
| Optical Tube Diameter: | 165mm (6.49") |
| Optical Tube Weight: | 8.8 lbs (3.99 kg) |
| Dovetail: | CG-5 Dovetail Bar |
| MOUNT INFO: | |
| Mount Type: | Manual Alt-Azimuth |
| Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod): | Aluminum, 1244.6mm (49") max height |
| Tripod Leg Diameter: | N/A |
| Accessory Tray: | Yes |
| Tripod Weight: | 9.2 lbs (4.17 kg) |
| Slew Speeds: | Manual |
| GPS: | Uses phone's GPS |
| Dovetail Compatibility: | CG-5 Dovetail bar |
| Power Requirements: | None (Recommend PowerTank Glow to keep phone charged while using App) |
| Alignment Procedures: | Use StarSense Explorer App |
| Software: | StarSense Explorer App, SkyPortal App, and Celestron Starry Night Basic Edition Software |
| Total Kit Weight: | 18 lbs (8.16 kg) |
| Included Items: |
Optical tube Mount and tripod (preassembled) 25mm and 10mm eyepieces StarPointer finderscope Accessory tray StarSense Explorer phone dock |
| Solar Warning |
Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or with an optic (unless you have the proper solar filter). Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result. Never use your optic to project an image of the Sun onto any surface. Internal heat build-up can damage the optic and any accessories attached to it. Never leave your optic unsupervised. Make sure an adult who is familiar with the correct operating procedures is with your optic at all times, especially when children are present. |
| California Residents | View Proposition 65 Warning |
This is at the top of my meager budget, but after reading reviews on space websites, I felt it was my best option for what I wanted.You get the “go to” app for free with the purchase, which makes it a great option for those who can’t afford the mechanized telescopes.The picture I took was with the 10 mm lens. You can clearly see the rings of Saturn and if you look closely, you can see the bands in the atmosphere of Jupiter. My mom and I were in awe of how breathtaking it all looked. I live in a small sized city, so a pretty moderate amount of light pollution takes place, but I can still clearly see bright to moderately bright objects with ease. The app is extraordinarily easy to use.The telescope is very lightweight.This was the first expensive telescope I bought, and with Celestron’s payment plan option, it’s incredibly affordable. The red dot scope is incredibly helpful for quick scoping without the app. I was able to reliably find the Orion Nebula with the red dot sight.
This is my first telescope and it’s really goodIt came nicely packaged and was fairly easy to assemble with the instructions. Finding things is made a lot easier with the viewfinder and calibrating didn’t take to long.So far we have seen the moon, Jupiter, and Saturn which looked really cool and quite clear through the lenses it comes with.We haven't quite got the phone aspect down yet but the app is really nice and easy to use, and guides you through working it.
Tripod is a little on the light side, but functions well… would recommend an upgraded mount if the scope is used as a portable very often
Easy to assemble and use
I was able to get decent photos of Jupiter, Orion, the moon, and a rough image of Saturn using an iPhone 13 and a Celestron phone mount. If you are considering astrophotography, this is definitely not the way to go. I feel like I definitely pushed the limits for this scope with an iPhone 13 Pro Max. I also upgraded the eyepieces to Sbony gold kit. About 30 dollars per eyepiece.To get these images to appear as they are I had to process the images. Particularly with Jupiter. I took 6 minutes of footage, put it in PIPP, and only kept the best 5% of the frames, and stacked them in Autostakkert 3. I then used registax and GIMP to sharpen and color correct the image.This scope is great for visual astronomy, and for beginner astronomers. The app works as described, was usually not center but almost always was in field of view. It's really as simple as centering the mirror, centering the target, and then selecting what you want to see on the app. You can view many Astro targets very quickly.The tripod is very cheap and flimsy. The knobs to tighten the telescopic legs snapped off without even being anywhere close to tight. I am able to use a C clamp and a cloth to tighten the legs enough to use. Although very inconvenient it works. The mount is extremely shaky, and the slightest bump or even a car going by will shake it significantly.If I were to do it again, I'd buy an 8' dobsonian as a first scope for visual astronomy, and I plan to get a DSLR to start astrophotography. Overall, not a bad first scope, but the sturdiness of the tripod and mount was a killer.
Celestron has reinvented the manual telescope with StarSense Explorer—the first telescope that uses your smartphone to analyze the night sky and calculate its position in real time. StarSense Explorer is ideal for beginners thanks to the app’s user-friendly interface and detailed tutorials. It’s like having your own personal tour guide of the night sky.
Dock, Launch, Explore
Leave complicated star charts, imprecise planetarium apps, and computerized mounts behind. With StarSense Explorer, locating objects has never been easier, faster, or more accurate. Within minutes of setting up the telescope, you’ll be navigating the sky with confidence. Simply place your phone in the unique StarSense dock and launch the StarSense Explorer app. After aligning your phone to the telescope’s optics (a quick, 2-minute procedure), StarSense Explorer generates a list of celestial objects currently visible. Make your selection and arrows appear onscreen, guiding you as you to move the telescope. When the object is ready to view, the bullseye turns green.
Smartphone Compatibility
StarSense Explorer works with most modern smartphones, including iPhone 6 and up and most devices running Android 7.1.2 or later manufactured since 2016. For a complete compatibility list, click here.
Patented StarSense Sky Recognition Technology
StarSense Explorer uses patented technology and your smartphone to determine exactly where the telescope is pointed in the night sky. A Lost in Space Algorithm (LISA), like the ones satellites use in orbit to correctly orient themselves, helps the app match star patterns it detects overhead to its internal database.
While other astronomy apps may claim that they can help you find objects, they rely exclusively on the phone’s gyros and accelerometers, which aren’t as accurate as LISA technology. No other app can accurately tell you when your target is visible in the eyepiece.
High Quality Altazimuth Mount with Slow Motion Control
An ultra-stable altazimuth mount provides a sturdy foundation for StarSense Explorer DX. Slip clutches and geared slow motion controls in both axes help you move the telescope smoothly and zero in your target. As celestial objects appear to drift across the night sky, you’ll be able to follow them with just a few turns of the knobs. It’s all anchored by an adjustable, full-height tripod.
Dazzling Views with High Quality Optics
With a large 130mm (5”) objective lens, this telescope has enough light gathering ability to bring out impressive detail in celestial objects. You can expect sharp, bright views of Jupiter’s four Galilean moons, its cloud bands and Great Red Spot, the rings of Saturn, the trapezium in the Orion Nebula, and beautiful Pleiades Open Star Cluster. Highly reflective coatings on both the primary and secondary mirror enhance the views even more.
Perfect for the City or Dark Sky Sites
Even if you live in a light polluted city location, StarSense Explorer is advanced enough to be able to pick out Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, the Orion Nebula, double stars, and a few more of the most famous celestial objects.
But if you can take the telescope to an even slightly darker location, more objects will become visible. With this 5” Newtonian and relatively dark skies, the Andromeda Galaxy, Hercules Open Star Cluster, and so many more are easily within your reach.
The entire telescope kit weighs just 18 pounds, so it’s perfectly portable and easy to bring on your next camping trip or to a remote observing site.
Everything You Need to Observe Immediately
When you unbox your new StarSense Explorer DX, you’ll find:
| OPTICAL TUBE INFO: | |
|---|---|
| Optical Design: | Newtonian Reflector |
| Aperture: | 130mm (5.11") |
| Focal Length: | 650mm (25.59") |
| Focal Ratio: | f/5 |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: | 25mm (0.98") |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 1: | 26x |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 2: | 10mm (0.39") |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 2: | 65x |
| Barlow Lens: | Not Included |
| Finderscope: | StarPointer™ red dot finderscope |
| Optical Tube: | Steel |
| Highest Useful Magnification: | 307x |
| Lowest Useful Magnification: | 19x |
| Limiting Stellar Magnitude: | 13.1 |
| Resolution (Rayleigh): | 1.07 arc seconds |
| Resolution (Dawes): | .89 arc seconds |
| Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye): | 345x |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction: | 45mm (1.73") |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter: | 34% |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area: | 11% |
| Optical Coatings: | Glass mirrors coated with aluminum and SiO₂ |
| Optical Tube Length: | 635mm (25") |
| Optical Tube Diameter: | 165mm (6.49") |
| Optical Tube Weight: | 8.8 lbs (3.99 kg) |
| Dovetail: | CG-5 Dovetail Bar |
| MOUNT INFO: | |
| Mount Type: | Manual Alt-Azimuth |
| Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod): | Aluminum, 1244.6mm (49") max height |
| Tripod Leg Diameter: | N/A |
| Accessory Tray: | Yes |
| Tripod Weight: | 9.2 lbs (4.17 kg) |
| Slew Speeds: | Manual |
| GPS: | Uses phone's GPS |
| Dovetail Compatibility: | CG-5 Dovetail bar |
| Power Requirements: | None (Recommend PowerTank Glow to keep phone charged while using App) |
| Alignment Procedures: | Use StarSense Explorer App |
| Software: | StarSense Explorer App, SkyPortal App, and Celestron Starry Night Basic Edition Software |
| Total Kit Weight: | 18 lbs (8.16 kg) |
| Included Items: |
Optical tube Mount and tripod (preassembled) 25mm and 10mm eyepieces StarPointer finderscope Accessory tray StarSense Explorer phone dock |
| Solar Warning |
Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or with an optic (unless you have the proper solar filter). Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result. Never use your optic to project an image of the Sun onto any surface. Internal heat build-up can damage the optic and any accessories attached to it. Never leave your optic unsupervised. Make sure an adult who is familiar with the correct operating procedures is with your optic at all times, especially when children are present. |
| California Residents | View Proposition 65 Warning |
