With the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ 130mm f/5 Reflector Telescope, exploring the wonders of the universe is as simple as 1-2-3:
1. Dock your smartphone
2. Launch the StarSense Explorer smartphone app
3. Observe the moon, planets, stars, and more
This innovative integration of smartphone and telescope offers beginner astronomers a fast and (more importantly) easy way to discover what's up in the night sky and where to view it. Utilizing similar alignment technology that satellites use when they move out of position, the StarSense Explorer app uses your phone's camera to stream a constant series of images and compare them to an internal database to identify the starfield and determine its location. This "Lost in Space Algorithm" is more precise than typical astronomy apps and does not require a cell signal to work—so you can use it even when you're far off the grid. A holder on the mount, aligned with the telescope, ensures that where the phone is pointed is the same as where the scope is, so that when you follow the onscreen directions to find the object of interest and you look through the eyepiece, it will be there.
Optically, the massive 130mm primary mirror with its highly reflective aluminum coatings gathers copious amounts of light to provide detailed views of the lunar surface and planetary features, with the ability to reach beyond our solar system and view bright deep-sky objects. Its relatively short 650mm focal length makes the optical tube easy to handle during setup and breakdown while producing a moderate magnification potential. Supporting the telescope and StarSense holder is a basic manual single-arm alt-azimuth mount outfitted with dual-axis slow-motion control cables that let you move the telescope quickly and easily according to the app's direction to find your object of interest, with the ability to precisely track the object when you want to view it for extended periods. A two-section aluminum tripod provides a wide adjustable height to accommodate a variety of viewing positions and users, while being highly portable for when you have to carry it to remote viewing locations.
Designed as a complete observation rig, Celestron includes a couple of essential accessories to get you viewing right out of the box. In addition to the telescope, mount, and tripod, you also get two eyepieces that provide you with high and low magnifications, plus a simple red dot finder.
StarSense System
- Download StarSense Explorer app from the Google Play (Android) store or App Store (iPhone)
- Place an Android smartphone or iPhone in the included StarSense Explorer dock
- 2-minute procedure to align the phone with the telescope
- App generates a list of celestial objects currently visible
- Select the object to view and arrows appear onscreen, guiding the user as they move the telescope
- When the object is ready to view, the bullseye turns green
- The StarSense app utilizes a "Lost in Space Algorithm" (LISA) to accurately calculate the current location and orientation by using the phone's GPS data, gyroscopic input, and camera to map the night sky and compare it to the app's database to accurately align and orient the scope and determine what is visible overhead
- App is self-contained; no cell signal required for use far off the grid
Compatible Smartphones:
- Android 7.1.2 and higher manufactured in 2016 and later, with camera, gyro, and accelerometer
- iPhone 6 and newer
Optical Tube Assembly
- Massive 130mm f/5 primary mirror enables users to view the moon, planets, stars, globular clusters, and other deep-space objects like galaxies, while reducing the secondary mirror obstruction, thus improving resolution
- 650mm focal length produces a moderate magnification potential with a highly portable length and weight
- Newtonian reflector optical design provides a large clear aperture without the restrictions on size experienced by refractor designs
- Highly reflective aluminum-coated mirrors improve light transmission, color rendition, and contrast
- Secondary mirror obstruction: 45mm (1.73"); 34% by diameter, 11% by area
- Resolution: 1.07 arcsec, Rayleigh; 0.89 arcsec, Dawes
- Reliable single-speed rack-and-pinion focuser
- Standard 1.25" holder accepts the most common size eyepieces and accessories, including the two eyepieces and Barlow lens in this kit
Mount and Tripod
- Manual alt-azimuth mount design is simple to set up and move
- Single fork-arm design reduces weight without sacrificing stability
- Dual axis slow-motion control cables provide an easy way to move and precisely track objects with reduced vibration
- Simple setup and breakdown with dovetail saddle
- Adjustable-height aluminum tripod accommodates a variety of users and observing positions
- Maximum height of 49" (124cm) including mount
- Center tray holds accessories such as eyepieces and filters
Included Accessories
- 25mm eyepiece produces a low 26x power for observing the moon, planets, deep-sky objects, and constellations
- 10mm high-magnification eyepiece yields 65x power for detailed views of the lunar surface and planetary features
- Unmagnified StarPointer finderscope places a simple red dot in the field of view to make alignment and star hopping navigation faster and easier
