Dock, Launch, Explore
Leave convoluted star charts, imprecise planetarium apps and computer-based fixations behind. With StarSense Explorer, locating objects has never been easier, faster or more accurate. Within minutes of mounting the telescope, you can navigate the sky with confidence. Simply place your phone in the unique StarSense dock and launch the StarSense Explorer app.
When the phone is aligned with the telescope's optics (a quick and easy operation), StarSense Explorer generates a list of the celestial bodies currently visible. Make your selection and arrows will appear on the screen to guide you as you move the telescope. When the target is ready to be viewed in the eyepiece, the reticle indicator will turn green. As you observe, listen to hundreds of audio descriptions and view detailed information on thousands of objects in the app's robust database.
High-quality altazimuth stock
The highly stable Dobsonian stand provides a solid base for the StarSense Explorer. It features large-diameter elevation bearings with adjustable tension, Teflon azimuth bearings, and side-panel outriggers for added stability (unlike many 12" Dobsonian tripods). The elevation bearings ensure smooth up and down motion, while an integrated elevation brake system allows you to adjust the elevation axis tension to achieve the smoothest movement even in small imbalance situations.The panning knob on the telescope tube provides an ergonomic grip, so you can aim the telescope precisely without your hands warming up the optical system.When celestial bodies seem to drift across the night sky, you can easily follow them with small adjustments to the telescope's position.
Amazing views with high quality optics
With a large 12" Newtonian reflector optical tube, this telescope has enough light-gathering power to bring out the details of celestial objects impressively. You can expect sharp and clear views of Jupiter's four Galilean moons, its cloud bands and Great Red Spot, the rings of Saturn, the gaseous glow of the Orion Nebula, the dust lanes of the Lagoon Nebula and our neighboring galaxy Andromeda. Compared to other StarSense Explorer Dobsonian telescopes, the 12" Dobsonian has 2.25 times the light-gathering power of the 8" and 2.25 times the light-gathering power of the 10", allowing for better views of dim objects.
All mirror surfaces are coated with our XLT optical coatings, which improve contrast and light transmission for brighter views. Thanks to the XLT coating, you can distinguish fine details when viewing the moon and planets, as well as faint galaxies and nebulae. The mirrors are made of low-expansion optical glass, which helps ensure the best images in changing environmental conditions.
This scope also comes with a quality 2" Crayford focuser. The Crayford model allows for precise and smooth movements without focus shifting. Also included is a 2" to 1.25" adapter and a 2" extension tube so you can use almost any 1.25" or 2" telescoping lenses with the StarSense Explorer Dobsonian telescope. The focuser also has
thumb screw to lock in the sharpest focus.
**Perfect for city or dark sky locations**
Even if you live in a light-polluted urban location, Celestron's StarSense Explorer 12" Dobsonian is advanced enough to easily pick up Jupiter, Saturn, open star clusters like the Pleiades, double stars like Alberio, the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, and many other of the best and brightest celestial bodies.
But if you can move the telescope to even a slightly darker place, more objects will come into view. With this 12" Dobsonian and a relatively dark sky, hundreds of fascinating objects are well within your reach.
Carrying the StarSense Explorer Dobsonian telescope is easy thanks to the ergonomic carrying handles located at the balance point of the tube and stand. Dust covers for the front of the tube and the focuser are also included.
**Smartphone Compatibility**
Celestron's StarSense Explorer works with most modern smartphones, including iPhone 6 and newer, and most Android 7.1.2 or newer devices manufactured since 2016.
Patented StarSense sky detection technology
StarSense Explorer uses patented technology and your smartphone to determine exactly where the telescope is pointed in the night sky. The LISA algorithm (Lost in Space Algorithm), the kind used by satellites in orbit to orient themselves correctly, helps the application match the constellations it observes above with its internal database.
While other astronomy apps claim to help you find objects, they rely solely on your phone's gyroscopes and accelerometers, which aren't as accurate as LISA technology. No other application can accurately tell when an object appears in the eyepiece.
Improve your settings
Keep your phone charged all night while you explore with the StarSense Explorer by adding the PowerTank Glow 5000 to your must-have accessories (sold separately). Made with StarSense Explorer Dobs in mind, this 2-in-1 accessory features a red flashlight PLUS a USB power bank for charging mobile devices in the field. Attach the PowerTank Glow 5000 to the two posts on the front of the StarSense Explorer dock with the included straps to keep it conveniently in place for charging your smartphone while in use.
To get the sharpest views faster, we recommend pairing the StarSense Explorer 12" Dobsonian Telescope with the USB Cooling Fan for Dobsonian Telescopes (sold separately). The fan cools the main mirror to the ambient outside temperature faster, giving you more time to observe. The fan attaches directly to the back cell of the Dobsonian, and it works with any USB power source.
•Unleash the power of your smartphone and take you on a guided tour of the night sky - no telescope experience required.
•Patented, award-winning StarSense sky sensing technology uses your smartphone to analyze the constellations overhead and calculate the telescope's position in real time.
•A large 12-inch parabolic head-up mirror with XLT coatings helps you get the most out of StarSense technology. Locate dim, deep-sky objects in seconds and see them in more detail than ever before.
•A robust, Dobson-style stand with large diameter bearings and variable height tensioning makes it easy to follow the on-screen arrows to your desired target. When the bull's eye turns green, it is ready to be viewed in the telescope eyepiece.
•StarSense Explorer Powered by SkySafari™ application automatically generates a list of currently visible destinations. View planets, brighter nebulae and galaxies, star clusters and binary stars from the city. Or take your telescope to darker skies to see even more.
•Includes 32mm Plössl eyepiece, 2" Crayford focuser, 2" extension tube, 2" 1.25" adapter, StarSense smartphone dock, StarPointer™ red dot finder, eyepiece holder and collimation tool.
