Celestron StarSense Explorer, 8' Dobsonian Telescope

Technical Details: Celestron Starsense Explorer 8" Smartphone App-enabled Dobsonian Telescope Celestron has revolutionised the Dobsonian telescope through the introduction of StarSense Explorer, a pioneering model that utilises your smartphone to scrutinise the night sky and compute its position in real-time. This substantial-aperture Celestron StarSense Explorer is perfectly suited for earnest beginners, owing to the app's intuitive interface and comprehensive tutorials. It's akin to possessing a personal guide to the celestial sphere.

The substantial aperture guarantees that the telescope will remain a constant companion in your ongoing astronomical explorations. Key Features: Smartphone compatibility with StarSense Explorer app High-quality Altazimuth base Dazzling views with high-quality optics Perfect for city or dark sky sites Patented StarSense Sky Recognition Technology Dock, Launch, Explore Leave complicated star charts, imprecise planetarium apps, and computerised 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 bullseye 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.

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 20.32cm 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 With a large 20.32cm Newtonian reflector optical tube, this telescope has enough light-gathering ability to bring out impressive detail in celestial objects while remaining remarkably portable.

You can expect sharp, bright views of Jupiter's four Galilean moons, its cloud bands and Great Red Spot, the rings of Saturn, the gaseous glow of the Orion Nebula, dust lanes in the Lagoon Nebula, and our neighbour galaxy, Andromeda. Compared to the StarSense Explorer DX 130 AZ, the 20.32cm Dobsonian has 240+% more light gathering area, providing better views of faint objects. All mirror surfaces are coated with our XLT optical coatings to visibly increase contrast and light throughput for brighter views.

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-expansion optical glass, which helps ensure the best images under changing environmental conditions. This telescope also comes with a high-quality 5.08cm Crayford focuser.

The Crayford design provides precise and smooth movements without focus shifting. It also includes a 5.08cm to 3.175cm adapter and a 5.08cm extension tube, so you can use virtually any 3.175cm or 5.08cm telescope eyepiece with your StarSense Explorer Dobsonian. The focuser also features a thumbscrew so you can lock in the sharpest focus.

Perfect for the City or Dark Sky Sites Even if you live in a light-polluted city location, the Celestron StarSense Explorer 20.32cm Dobsonian is advanced enough to easily pick out Jupiter, Saturn, open star clusters like the Pleiades, double stars like Alberio, the Orion Nebula, Andromeda Galaxy, and more of the best and brightest celestial objects. But if you can take the telescope to an even slightly darker location, more objects will become visible. With this 20.32cm Dobsonian and relatively dark skies, hundreds of fascinating objects are well within your reach.

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. Smartphone Compatibility StarSense Explorer works with most modern smartphones; it is compatible with Android 12 and later, as well as iOS 18 and newer, including iPhone XR and newer models.

Users with older phones can still use this app, but will not be able to reinstall the app if they uninstall it. 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.

Enhance Your Setup Keep your phone charged all night while exploring with your StarSense Explorer by adding the PowerTank Glow 5000 to your must-have accessories (sold separately). This 2-in-1 accessory was made with the StarSense Explorer Dobs in mind, it has a red torch PLUS a USB power bank for charging mobile devices in the field. Connect the PowerTank Glow 5000 to the two posts at the front of the StarSense Explorer dock with the included bands so it is held in a convenient location for charging your smartphone while in use.

Top Three Features: Celestron Starsense Explorer 8" Smartphone App-enabled Dobsonian Telescope Smartphone compatibility with StarSense Explorer app: This feature allows you to use your smartphone as a guide to the night sky. The app's intuitive interface and comprehensive tutorials make it easy for beginners to get started. With real-time computations of the sky's position, you'll feel like you have a personal guide to the celestial sphere.

High-quality Altazimuth base: The ultra-stable Dobsonian base provides a sturdy foundation for the telescope. It features large diameter altitude bearings with variable tensioning and Teflon azimuth bearings for smooth motion. The integrated altitude "brake" system allows for easy adjustments, ensuring a smooth viewing experience.

Patented StarSense Sky Recognition Technology: This technology uses your smartphone to accurately determine where the telescope is pointed in the night sky. The Lost in Space Algorithm (LISA) matches star patterns detected overhead to its internal database, providing unparalleled accuracy. Unlike other astronomy apps, StarSense Explorer can accurately tell you when your target is visible in the eyepiece.

Our expert's opinion about the Celestron Starsense Explorer 8" Smartphone App-enabled Dobsonian Telescope The Celestron Starsense Explorer 8" Smartphone App-enabled Dobsonian Telescope is a revolutionary tool for stargazers. With its smartphone compatibility and patented StarSense Sky Recognition Technology, it offers an intuitive and accurate way to explore the night sky. The high-quality Altazimuth base ensures stability and smooth motion, while the substantial aperture guarantees impressive detail in celestial objects.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced astronomer, this telescope is a reliable companion for your astronomical explorations.