Celestron StarSense Explorer 130 mm Tabletop Dobsonian

Celestron StarSense Explorer 130 mm Tabletop Dobsonian

Celestron has reinvented the tabletop Dobsonian telescope with the StarSense Explorer - the first tabletop Dobsonian telescope that uses your smartphone to analyze the night sky and calculate its position in real time. This 130 mm aperture Celestron StarSense Explorer is ideal for beginners thanks to the app´s user-friendly interface and detailed instructions. It´s like having your own personal tour guide to 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 you align your phone with the telescope´s optics (which is done in two minutes), the StarSense Explorer app generates a list of currently visible celestial objects. Make your selection, and directional arrows will appear on the screen to help you point the telescope. Once the object is visible in the eyepiece, the crosshairs turn green.

Smartphone Compatibility

Celestron 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 pointing in the night sky. A Lost In Space Algorithm (LISA), like that used by satellites in orbit to correctly reorient themselves, helps the app match the star patterns it detects with its internal database.

Other astronomy apps that try to help you find objects rely solely on your phone´s compass, gyroscopes and accelerometers, which are not as accurate as LISA technology. No other app can tell you that precisely when your target is visible in the eyepiece.

High quality Dobsonian mount

The sturdy Dobsonian tabletop mount provides a robust base for the telescope. It is compact, lightweight and easy to transport, which makes it perfect for traveling. The design of the mount makes it easier for children in particular to access the eyepiece. You can also place the telescope on a stable platform such as a table or the hood of a car to bring it to a comfortable observing height. For even more observing possibilities, you can add the optional Celestron tripod for StarSense Explorer tabletop Dobsonians.

Teflon bearings provide smooth movement in both axes. The integrated altitude braking system lets you adjust the clamping force of the altitude axis to ensure the smoothest possible movement, even with slight imbalances. This allows you to easily track celestial objects moving across the night sky.

The telescope itself is connected to the mount via tube rings. This makes it easy to rotate the tube to a comfortable position. The mount has an eyepiece holder to keep your extra eyepiece(s) at hand.

High-quality optics for the perfect view into space

The 130 mm Newtonian mirror has a parabolic shape which allows diffraction limited imaging. The small focal length allows a large field of view even with 1.25" eyepieces - even the Andromeda Galaxy fits completely into the field of view with an appropriate eyepiece!

Ideal for any site

Even if you live in a place with slightly brightened skies and moderate light pollution, the telescope is powerful enough to show Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, the Orion Nebula, double stars and some more of the most famous celestial objects.

However, if you can move the telescope to a slightly darker location, even more objects will become visible. With this 130 mm Dobsonian telescope and a relatively dark sky, hundreds of fascinating objects are well within your reach.

The StarSense Explorer Tabletop Dobsonian is lightweight and equipped with carrying handles, so you can easily transport it to your observing site.