With theCelestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ 102mm f/6.5 AZ Refractor
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
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
attached to, and aligned with, the optical tube
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
102mm f/6.5 aperture to view the moon, planets, constellations, and bright
deep-sky objects like clusters and galaxies
650mm focal length produces a moderate magnification potential with a highly
portable length and weight
Refractor design requires very little maintenance by the user or collimation
over time
Anti-reflection fully coated glass optics maximize light transmission through
the light path to ensure bright and clear views with improved resolution
Resolution: 1.37 arcsec, Rayleigh; 1.14 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 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
90° erect-image diagonal corrects view to use the telescope as a conventional
spotting scope while providing a comfortable viewing angle, especially when the
scope is aimed overhead
25mm eyepiece produces a low 26x power for observing the moon, planets, deep-sky
objects, and constellations
10mm high-magnification eyepiece yields 66x 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
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 102mm objective lens offers clear views of the lunar surface and
planetary features with the ability to reach out beyond our solar system to view
bright deep-sky objects—producing accurate color representation and little field
curvature at the edges of the view. 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 variety of
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 90° diagonal that not only places your head
in a comfortable viewing position when the scope is pointed directly overhead
but also corrects the view so you can use the telescope as a conventional
spotting scope.