Price and overview
$509.99 (list price $599.95)
The Celestron StarSense Explorer is a 150mm tabletop Dobsonian telescope that uses your smartphone to locate objects in the night sky. Instead of manually hunting for targets, you dock your phone, launch the app, and follow on-screen guidance to find stars, planets, nebulae, and galaxies.
What it does
- App-guided targeting. Your phone analyzes star patterns overhead to determine where the telescope is pointing, then directs you to whatever object you want to observe.
- Smart object selection. The app generates a list of the best visible targets for your location and time of night, from bright planets to deep-sky objects.
- Manual tracking. Once the app's bullseye turns green, you adjust the telescope manually to keep the object in view through the eyepiece.
- 6-inch mirror. The 150mm Newtonian reflector shows detail on the Moon and planets, and can reveal nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters.
- Tabletop design. The Dobsonian-style base is compact and sits on a table or flat surface rather than requiring a tripod or permanent mount.
Power and warranty
Celestron backs this telescope with a 2-year US warranty and phone support from their team. The product has been made by the company since 1960.
Good to know before you buy
- Smartphone required. You need a compatible phone to use the StarSense app and dock it with the telescope.
- Manual operation. This is not a motorized or computerized scope—you move it by hand to track objects as the app instructs.
- Tabletop placement. It does not come with a tripod and is designed to sit on a table, desk, or ground-level platform.
- Learning curve. While the app makes finding objects easier than traditional scopes, observing still requires some practice to get steady views.
Who it suits
This telescope works well for anyone new to astronomy who wants hands-on guidance without memorizing star charts. It can show meaningful views of the Moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects from suburban areas and darker skies alike. It is less suited to people who prefer fully automatic computerized mounts or who plan to use astrophotography.
We haven't tested this product ourselves. Features and claims on this page come from the manufacturer's listing.
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