Description
Highlights:
Smartphone-powered guided stargazing with award-winning, patented StarSense sky recognition technology for real-time positioning
StarSense Explorer app generates a list of visible objects and guides telescope movement with on-screen arrows and bullseye confirmation
130mm (5”) Newtonian reflector with highly reflective coatings and strong light-gathering capability for detailed celestial views
Manual altazimuth mount with smooth dual-axis slow-motion controls for accurate tracking and easy target acquisition
Includes 25mm and 10mm eyepieces, StarSense smartphone dock, red dot finderscope, and sturdy full-height tripod
Portable 18-pound telescope kit suitable for city observing and darker sky locations
Overview
Unleash the power of your smartphone and enjoy a guided tour of the night sky without prior telescope experience. StarSense Explorer uses patented StarSense sky recognition technology to analyse star patterns overhead and calculate the telescope’s position in real time.
Designed with beginners in mind, the StarSense Explorer app features a user-friendly interface and detailed tutorials, creating the experience of a personal tour guide for night sky exploration.
Dock, Launch, Explore
StarSense Explorer simplifies object location by removing the need for star charts, imprecise planetarium apps, or computerized mounts. After placing your phone in the StarSense dock and launching the app, a quick two-minute alignment with the telescope’s optics enables automatic generation of visible celestial objects.
Selecting a target displays arrows guiding telescope movement, and when the bullseye turns green, the object is ready to view in the eyepiece.
Patented StarSense Sky Recognition Technology
The system uses patented technology and a Lost in Space Algorithm (LISA), similar to those used by orbiting satellites, to match detected star patterns with an internal database. This approach provides more accurate object identification than apps relying solely on gyros and accelerometers and confirms when a target is visible in the eyepiece.
High Quality Altazimuth Mount with Slow Motion Control
An ultra-stable altazimuth mount forms the foundation of the telescope, featuring slip clutches and geared slow-motion controls in both axes for smooth movement and precise targeting. As celestial objects drift across the night sky, simple knob adjustments allow continuous tracking. The mount is supported by an adjustable, full-height tripod.
Optical Performance
The 130mm (5”) Newtonian reflector with highly reflective primary and secondary mirror coatings provides strong light-gathering ability and enhanced image clarity. Observers can expect bright, sharp views of:
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Jupiter’s Galilean moons, cloud bands, and Great Red Spot
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Saturn’s rings
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The trapezium in the Orion Nebula
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The Pleaides Open Star Cluster
Smartphone Compatibility
StarSense Explorer works with most modern smartphones, including iPhone 6 and newer models and Android devices running version 7.1.2 or later manufactured since 2016.
City & Dark Sky Observing
Even in light-polluted environments, the telescope can identify and display Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, the Orion Nebula, double stars, and other well-known celestial objects. Moving to darker observing sites reveals additional targets such as the Andromeda Galaxy and Hercules Open Star Cluster.
With a total kit weight of 18 pounds, the telescope remains portable and suitable for camping trips or remote observing locations.
Specifications:
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