Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ 114mm f/9 AZ Reflector Telescope

BH #CESSELT114R • MFR #22452
Key Features
  • Use Smartphone App for Star Navigation
  • Follow Directions to Find Great Objects
  • Advanced Precise Alignment Algorithm
  • Powerful 114mm Reflector Optical Tube
With the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ 114mm f/9 AZ 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
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$166.95
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Celestron StarSense Explorer Overview

  • 1Description
  • 2StarSense System
  • 3Optical Tube Assembly
  • 4Mount and Tripod
  • 5Included Accessories

With the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ 114mm f/9 AZ 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 large 114mm 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. Supporting the telescope and StarSense holder is a basic manual yoke mount outfitted with a simple control handle that lets 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 Barlow lens that effectively doubles the power of each eyepiece—essentially giving you four magnification choices.

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
  • Large 114mm f/9 aperture to view the moon, planets, stars, globular clusters, and other bright deep-space objects
  • Long 1000mm focal length produces a high magnification potential for a variety of applications
  • 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: 44mm (1.73"); 38% by diameter, 14% by area
  • Resolution: 1.22 arcsec, Rayleigh; 1.02 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 by hand
  • Control handle provides a precise way to move and track objects with reduced vibration
  • Simple and sturdy yoke mounting offers stability and reduced vibration
  • Adjustable-height aluminum tripod accommodates a variety of users and observing positions
  • Maximum height of 52" (132cm) including mount
  • Center tray holds accessories such as eyepieces and filters
Included Accessories
  • 25mm eyepiece produces a low 40x power for observing the moon, planets, deep-sky objects, and constellations
  • 10mm high-magnification eyepiece yields 100x power for detailed views of the lunar surface and planetary features
  • 2x Barlow lens effectively doubles the magnification of any 1.25" eyepiece installed on it without affecting eye relief, making it more comfortable to view at high power
  • Unmagnified StarPointer finderscope places a simple red dot in the field of view to make alignment and star hopping navigation faster and easier
UPC: 050234224529

Celestron StarSense Explorer Specs

Packaging Info
Package Weight
18.15 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
36 x 19.2 x 9.7"

Celestron StarSense Explorer Reviews

Very Misleading

By Mary
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2023-03-26

I have bought a couple of telescopes recently trying to get into astronomy. Please be sure to check your Bortle Scale for how dark your area is. It looked so simple, attach your phone and it directs you...I have a Samsung A53 phone and their Starsense app said it should work, but for 3 weeks, I have only been able to see the moon. The app cannot find the telescope! So frustrating!

As a beginner, I recommend.

By Jordan
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-10-17

As a beginner enthusiast this scope really worked for me! The first time looking at the moon was awesome, I saw Jupiter's moons, and Saturn's ring (writing this in CA during October 2022 so you have an idea of what is visible around 10pm)! All with very limited ability. I would say the hardest part about this scope is lining it up with distant objects. The red dot finder isn't the most accurate even after several adjustments but it gets the job done. It is quite wobbly and tracking far away objects is very difficult without slow motion controls. The app works okay, I haven't been able to really use it to it's full potential. If you are looking to buy a scope, I think this would make a great first purchase. It was easy to put together and I have had a lot of fun with it! I watched two reviews about it and it really helped with the general idea of how to use this scope. It is mainly for planets and nearby objects, not necessarily for deep space objects. But in the right hands and in the right low light areas, I am sure you could find some cool stuff! Again, my biggest problem with it is tracking far away objects when using the 10mm eye piece (it comes with a 25mm - 40x zoom - and 10mm -100x zoom). Making small adjustments is kind of hard and then you have to wait for the wiggles (scientific term) to go away. A better stand might be worth the purchase as well as the one it comes with is lower quality.

Place to buy

By Charles
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-08-01

Good price fast delivery Charles mack

Learning curve

By Joseph
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2022-04-28

I'm a beginner, so results may vary. I wanted to view the moon and the planets and maybe see distant galaxies, that's why I wanted a scope with a large aperture. This Newtonian reflective telescope has a learning curve to it; the image in the viewfinder is opposite that of the naked eye. The half moon faces earth, as viewed with the naked eye, but out towards space when viewed through telescope. So it takes some practice when manually adjusting the scope to track the subject (moon, etc). I had trouble aligning the finder scope with the telescope, so that made it difficult to find the stars through the scope to match with the screen on my phone and the Star sense app. It does show incredible views of the moon; craters and all. The shadow line seems to have the most detail of all. Just keep in mind, you have to keep adjusting the scope to maintain your view

Great learning scope.

By Brian
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-01-19

So far it has been a great telescope to learn the basics and a few other things to view the night sky.

Easy setup, quality product

By Julio
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2022-01-14

I bought this as a Christmas gift for my wife. The StarSense technology is a great option if you're just starting out and don't want to commit to a motorized telescope just yet. We've sky gazed with the naked eye for many years, it's exceptionally amazing star gazing through this telescope. Highly recommended for beginners like us. Easy setup and the quality of the product at the price point is amazing.

Sadly not worth it

By Umit
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2023-01-14

The unit arrived well packaged and was simple to assemble. The adjustment mechanism of the finder scope was sloppy, making alignment with the eyepiece fussy. The optical elements in the kit are sufficient to see the details of the surface of the Moon, albeit somewhat blurred, that Jupiter has some moons, but have no utility beyond that. The two eyepieces did not seat the same way, and needed adjustment each time you exchanged those. Had purchased camera attachment with Barlow lens, but the image was not crisp. May be I was asking too much from a telescope at this price range, but had to send it back. No, wouldn't recommend to a friend.

Needs better focuser

By Marc
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2023-01-05

Not what I was hoping for, the focuser does not focus fine enough and will not accept upgraded eyepieces and barlow lens because of the weight affecting the alignment of the optics with the mirror. I have spent more in upgrades than the cost of the telescope. I would recommend spending a little more money on a 6 telescope because a lot of aftermarket parts are available for that size. I am rather new to astronomy using a telescope so I'm chalking it up as a newbie mistake and now I know a little more on what to look for in a telescope and possibly plan on building one myself if I can source quality mirrors. Expect to see a clear picture of the moon, Jupiter can be seen but its just a fuzz ball with little fuzz balls orbiting around it, Mars is a reddish fuzz ball, Saturn is a brownish yellow fuzz ball with fuzzy rings. Other planets yield a similar picture just worse. I'm not bashing this telescope, I'm just giving what I feel is a fair review because I got what I paid for.

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Sounds like very limited iPhone compatibility. ...

Sounds like very limited iPhone compatibility. Will this work with a 2016 iPhone SE? Thx in advance.
Asked by: James
Yes, the iPhone SE is compatible.
Answered by: Telescope
Date published: 2020-12-07

1000mm focal length and only 610mm long tube, ...

1000mm focal length and only 610mm long tube, what's the catch?
Asked by: Nadav
The StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ is a Bird-Jones reflector telescope. It uses a spherical primary mirror with spherical aberrations corrected by a sub-aperture corrector lens mounted inside the focus tube. This design reduces the size of the telescope with a shorter overall telescope tube length (with the corrector extending the focal length).
Answered by: Telescope
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Is it possible to mount an iPad mini to this ...

Is it possible to mount an iPad mini to this telescope?
Asked by: Steven
No, the StarSense Explorer line was designed to be used with a smartphone and not a tablet.
Answered by: Telescope
Date published: 2023-01-11

Will I be able to see the rings of Saturn with ...

Will I be able to see the rings of Saturn with this straight out of the box?
Asked by: Robbin
Yes, absolutely! Saturn's rings are still tilted favorably to our line-of-sight and will easily be seen in the StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ telescope.
Answered by: Telescope
Date published: 2022-01-28

Four questions, is it compatible to Samsung ...

Four questions, is it compatible to Samsung Galaxy? Do the lenses contain eye cups to block out external light? What the maximum degrees of altitude for viewing on the tripod? What is the maximum height of the tripod? My last telescope made it difficult if not impossible to view anything above 40 degrees and when looking I had to actually get on my knees on the ground and no eyecups.
Asked by: Marshall
The StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ telescope is compatible with Android phones 7.1.2 and higher. It is compatible with Android phones manufactured 2016 and later, Required Sensors: Camera, Gyro and Accelerometer. Both lenses come with rubber eyecups that can help block stray light and be folded down for eyeglass wearers. Tripod can be raised to 1320.8mm (52") maximum height.
Answered by: Telescope
Date published: 2021-11-05

I have Nikon DSLR can this telescope accommodate ...

I have Nikon DSLR can this telescope accommodate this camera?Thanks
Asked by: Kam
The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ 114mm f/9 AZ Reflector Telescope is not recommend for use with a Nikon camera due to the weight.
Answered by: Dan
Date published: 2023-09-14

I am a first time telescope user looking for a ...

I am a first time telescope user looking for a telescope I can attach my small Olympus M4/3 camera to for astrophotography. Would this be a good one for that?
Asked by: Martha
The ïdeal scope"for astro photography would be a Cassegrain type of reflector. However, you will not finf one in the $180. price range. With that said the next best would be a reflector like the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ 114mm f/9 AZ Reflector Telescope BH #CESSELT114R • MFR #22452 You will need a camera mount to attach to the scope. Celestron SLR (35mm OR Digital) Camera Adapter for All Refractor and Reflector Telescopes which Accept 1.25" Eyepieces - Requires Camera-Specific T-Mount Adapter BH #CETA1.25 • MFR #93625 https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/202135-REG/Celestron_93625_SLR_35mm_OR_Digital.html And a T-ring to attach to your camera body. General Brand T-Mount SLR Camera Adapter for Four Thirds Cameras BH #GBTMOD • MFR #ATOD https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/631513-REG/General_Brand_ATOD_T_Mount_SLR_Camera_Adapter.html Those (2) pieces will now screw together.
Answered by: John
Date published: 2022-12-19

I'm a amateur astronomer looking for a telescope ...

I'm a amateur astronomer looking for a telescope with clear,crisp views. Is this the right telescope for me?
Asked by: Henry
Excellent choice. Very bright with fine eyepieces. B&H #1 seller
Answered by: John
Date published: 2021-10-24
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