Celestron StarSense Explorer 130mm Table Top (SKU: 22481)

Celestron has revolutionized the Tabletop Dobsonian telescope with the StarSense Explorer—the world's first Tabletop Dobsonian that utilizes your smartphone to analyze the night sky and calculate its real-time position. Featuring a 130mm aperture, the Celestron StarSense Explorer is particularly suitable for beginners, thanks to the app's intuitive interface and comprehensive tutorials. It's akin to having your personal celestial tour guide.

Dock, Launch, Explore

Bid farewell to intricate star charts, imprecise planetarium apps, and computerized mounts. With the StarSense Explorer, locating celestial objects has never been simpler, quicker, or more precise. Within moments of setting up the telescope, you'll navigate the skies with confidence. Just slot your phone into the unique StarSense dock and launch the StarSense Explorer app.

After aligning your phone with the telescope's optics (a swift and straightforward process), the StarSense Explorer app generates a list of visible celestial objects. Select your target, and on-screen arrows guide your telescope's movements. When the object is ready for viewing through the eyepiece, the bullseye turns green. As you observe, access audio descriptions and detailed information about thousands of objects in the app's extensive database.

High-Quality Altazimuth Base

The sturdy Tabletop Dobsonian base provides a reliable platform for the StarSense Explorer. Compact, lightweight, and easily transportable, the tabletop base is ideal for travel. Its low profile makes accessing the eyepiece effortless, particularly for younger observers. You can also place the base on a stable platform, such as a table or car hood, for comfortable viewing. Consider adding the optional tripod for additional viewing options.

Smooth motion in both altitude and azimuth is ensured by Teflon bearings. An integrated altitude "brake" system allows you to adjust tension along the altitude axis, ensuring smooth movement even with slight imbalances. As celestial objects drift across the night sky, you can effortlessly track them.

Dazzling Views with Excellent Optics

Featuring a 130mm (5.1”) parabolic primary mirror, this telescope boasts ample light-gathering capability for detailed celestial observations. Expect sharp, bright views of Jupiter's moons, Saturn's rings, the Orion Nebula, and more. The telescope includes a 1.25” rack-and-pinion focuser compatible with 1.25” eyepieces.

Perfect for the City or Dark Sky Sites

Even in light-polluted city locations, the Celestron StarSense Explorer 130mm Tabletop Dobsonian can easily pinpoint Jupiter, Saturn, the Pleiades, and other bright celestial objects. In darker skies, hundreds more objects become visible, expanding your observing possibilities.

Smartphone Compatibility

The StarSense Explorer works with most modern smartphones, including iPhone 6 and up, and most Android devices manufactured since 2016.

Patented StarSense Sky Recognition Technology

StarSense Explorer employs patented technology and your smartphone to precisely determine the telescope's pointing direction in the night sky. A Lost in Space Algorithm (LISA) aids the app in matching detected star patterns with its internal database.

Observe Longer with the PowerTank Glow 5000

Extend your observing sessions by adding the PowerTank Glow 5000 (sold separately), a 2-in-1 accessory with a red flashlight and USB power bank specifically designed for StarSense Explorer Dobs. Attach it to the tabletop Dob base handle to keep your smartphone charged throughout your observations.

Included Items:

• Optical tube
• Dobsonian Base
• 25mm and 10mm eyepiece
• StarPointer™ red-dot finderscope
• StarSense Explorer dock
• StarSense Explorer unlock code
• Eyepiece rack
• Collimation Cap
• Celestron Starry Night Basic Edition Software

Specification

OPTICAL TUBE INFO:

Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector

Aperture: 130mm (5.12")

Focal Length: 650mm (25.6")

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

Highest Useful Magnification: 307x

Lowest Useful Magnification: 19x

Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 13.1

Light Gathering Power: 345x compared to the human eye

Optical Coatings: Aluminum with SiO2 overcoat

Mirror Material: Standard optical glass for primary and secondary mirrors

Minor Axis of Secondary Mirror: 38mm (1.50")

Tube Material: Steel

Focuser: 1.25" rack-and-pinion

Finderscope: StarPointer™ red-dot finderscope

Resolution Rayleigh: 1.06 arcseconds

Resolution Dawes: 0.89 arcseconds

Optical Tube Dimensions: 615.95mm (24.25") long x 165.1mm (6.5") diameter

Optical Tube Weight: 8.2 lbs (3.72 kg)

MOUNT INFO:

Mount Type: Altazimuth Tabletop Dobsonian base

Base Material: Particle board with melamine surfaces and edge trim, CARB compliant

Base Dimensions: 482.6mm x 482.6mm x 419.1mm (19" x 19" x 16.5")

Base Weight: 11 lbs (4.99 kg)

Slew Speeds: Manual

Software: Celestron Starry Night Basic Edition Software and StarSense Explorer App

Total Telescope Kit Weight: 19.2 lbs (8.71 kg)

Solar Warning

Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or with an optic (unless you have the proper solar filter). Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result.

Never use your optic to project an image of the Sun onto any surface. Internal heat build-up can damage the optic and any accessories attached to it.

Never leave your optic unsupervised. Make sure an adult who is familiar with the correct operating procedures is with your optic at all times, especially when children are present.