Celestron StarSense Explorer Dobsonian 12" (305 mm)

Celestron StarSense Explorer Dobsonian 305 mm (12")

Celestron has reinvented the Dobsonian telescope with StarSense Explorer - the first Dobsonian that uses your smartphone to analyze the night sky and calculate its position in real-time. This large-aperture Celestron StarSense Explorer is ideal for serious 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.

The large aperture will ensure that you won?t outgrow the telescope as you continue on in your astronomical adventures. Experienced observers will appreciate the ease of use and spectacular sights offered by the StarSense Explorer 12" Dobsonian.

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 and easy procedure), StarSense Explorer generates a list of celestial objects currently visible. Make your selection and arrows appear on-screen, guiding you as you move the telescope. When the object is ready to view in the eyepiece, the crosshair turns green. As you observe, listen to hundreds of audio descriptions and view detailed information about thousands of objects within the app?s robust database.

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 pointed in the night sky. A Lost in Space Algorithm (LISA), like the one 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 Base

An ultra-stable Dobsonian base provides a sturdy foundation for StarSense Explorer. It features large diameter altitude bearings with variable tensioning, Teflon azimuth bearings, and braces on the side panels for extra stability (unlike most 12? Dobsonian bases). The altitude bearings provide a smooth up-and-down motion while the integrated altitude "brake" system allows you to adjust the tension along the altitude axis for smoothest motion even with slight imbalances.

The panning knob on the telescope tube provides an ergonomic grip so you can precisely point the telescope without introducing heat from your hands into the optical system. As celestial objects appear to drift across the night sky, you´ll be able to easily follow them with minor adjustments to the telescope?s position.

Dazzling Views with High-Quality Optics

The 12" Newtonian reflector has enough light-gathering power to show impressive details of celestial objects, yet it is portable. In addition to the major planets, expect to see the glimmer of the Orion Nebula, the dust trails in the Lagoon Nebula, and our neighboring galaxy Andromeda - and many other destinations in the universe. Compared to the other StarSense Explorer Dobsonians, the 12" Dobsonian has 2.25 times the light-gathering power of the StarSense Explorer 10" Dobsonian and 1.44 times the light-gathering power of the StarSense Explorer 8" Dobsonian, so it shows faint objects better.

Primary and secondary mirrors are coated with the StarBright XLT coating to increase contrast and light transmission. With XLT, you´ll be able to discern subtle details while viewing the Moon and planets, as well as faint galaxies and nebulae. The mirrors are made of low thermal expansion glass, which ensures the best images even in changing environmental conditions.

This telescope also comes with a high-quality 2? Crayford focuser. The Crayford design provides precise and smooth movements without focus shifting. It also includes a 2? to 1.25? adapter and a 2? extension tube, so you can use virtually any 1.25? or 2? telescope eyepiece with your StarSense Explorer Dobsonian. The focuser also features a thumbscrew so you can lock in the sharpest focus.

Perfect for any location

Even if you live in a light-polluted city, the Celestron StarSense Explorer 12" Dobsonian telescope is powerful enough to show not only the highlights like Jupiter, Saturn, open star clusters like the Pleiades, double stars like Albireo, the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, but also numerous other of the best and most beautiful celestial objects.

From a darker location you can see these objects better, and observe many more targets. With this 12" Dobsonian telescope and a relatively dark sky, hundreds of fascinating objects are well within your reach. At the observation site, all you need to do is place the telescope in the mount, insert the eyepiece and smartphone, and launch the app, and you´re ready to observe! The eyepiece holder ensures that you always have all eyepieces within reach when observing.

The entire telescope weighs only 28.6 kg, making it perfectly portable and easy to take along on your next camping trip or to a remote observing site.

Transporting your StarSense Explorer Dobsonian is easy thanks to the ergonomic carry handles located at the balance point of the tube and base. Dust covers are also included for the front of the tube and the focuser.