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Guided by a user-friendly smartphone app, you'll enjoy beautiful views of planets, nebulae, galaxies, star clusters, and more with the StarSense Explorer 12" f/4.9 Dobsonian Telescope from Celestron. Suited to both serious beginners and advanced observers, the large-aperture reflector telescope gathers ample light for impressively detailed observation. The StarSense app's easy interface and tutorials will have you up and running in minutes, confidently touring the night sky. The large but portable optical tube assembly and sturdy, smooth-moving alt-azimuth base provide a satisfying stargazing experience, with the capacity for more sophisticated use as your skills develop.
Guided by a user-friendly smartphone app, you'll enjoy beautiful views of planets, nebulae, galaxies, star clusters, and more with the StarSense Explorer 12" f/4.9 Dobsonian Telescope from Celestron. Suited to both serious beginners and advanced observers, the large-aperture reflector telescope gathers ample light for impressively detailed observation. The StarSense app's easy interface and tutorials will have you up and running in minutes, confidently touring the night sky. The large but portable optical tube assembly and sturdy, smooth-moving alt-azimuth base provide a satisfying stargazing experience, with the capacity for more sophisticated use as your skills develop.
Patented StarSense Sky Recognition Technology
No need for computerized mounts, planetarium apps, and star charts—simply place your phone in the dock and launch the StarSense Explorer app. After a quick alignment, the StarSense Explorer generates a list of celestial objects currently visible. Make your selection and arrows appear on-screen, guiding you as you move the telescope.
When the object is ready to view in the eyepiece, the bullseye turns green. You have the option to listen to audio descriptions and view detailed information about thousands of objects within the app's robust database.
The StarSense Explorer uses patented technology and your smartphone to determine exactly where the telescope is pointed in the night sky. A Lost in Space Algorithm (LISA), like the ones satellites use in orbit to correctly orient themselves, helps the app match star patterns it detects overhead to its internal database.
Perfect for the City or Dark-Sky Sites
Even if you live in a light-polluted city location, the Celestron StarSense Explorer 12" Dobsonian is advanced enough to easily pick out Jupiter, Saturn, open star clusters like the Pleiades, double stars like Alberio, the Orion nebula, Andromeda galaxy, and more of the best and brightest celestial objects. But if you can take the telescope to an even slightly darker location, more objects will become visible.
Transporting your StarSense Explorer Dobsonian is easy thanks to the ergonomic carry handles located at the balance point of the tube. Dust covers are also included for the front of the tube and the focuser.
StarSense Explorer works with most modern smartphones, including iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max and up running iOS 18, and most devices running Android 12.
Optical Mirror Coatings, Focusing Options, Smooth Alt-Az Base
All mirror surfaces are coated with Celestron's XLT optical coatings to visibly increase contrast and light throughput for brighter views. The mirrors are made of low-expansion optical glass, which helps ensure the best images under changing environmental conditions.
The 2" Crayford focuser provides precise and smooth movements without focus shifting. It also includes a 2" to 1.25" adapter and a 2" extension tube, so you can use virtually any 1.25" or 2" telescope eyepiece with your StarSense Explorer Dobsonian. Use the thumbscrew so you can lock in the sharpest focus.
Side supports, Teflon azimuth bearings, large-diameter altitude bearings with variable tensioning and "brakes," and a panning knob combine for smooth, precise movements.
UPC: 050234224727
Celestron StarSense Explorer Specs
Key Specs
Aperture
305 mm / 12"
Focal Length
1500 mm
Focal Ratio
f/4.9
Eyepiece
Yes, Removeable: 2" Diameter with 90° Diagonal
Type
Alt-Azimuth
GoTo Capability
No
Optical Design
Dobsonian Reflector
Aperture
305 mm / 12"
Focal Length
1500 mm
Focal Ratio
f/4.9
Focuser
Crayford
Eyepiece
Yes, Removeable: 2" Diameter with 90° Diagonal
Finderscope
Yes
Optical Tube Dimensions
56 x 14" / 142.2 x 35.6 cm
Mount
Type
Alt-Azimuth
GoTo Capability
No
General
Battery
8x AA
Weight
83.6 lb / 37.9 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
118.5 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
62 x 40 x 29.5"
Celestron StarSense Explorer Reviews
5star experience
By Serena
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2025-12-19
After significant research and comparison I decided on this particular model. Star app is an amazing addition! Cant wait to use it!
One more thing
By Michael
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2024-04-02
To me the weakest part of this telescope is the crayford focuser. When I was trying to observed Deep Space objects. The focuser just could not come into a sharp focus either it was over focusing or under focusing. I found a fix via cloudynights.com ended up purchasing this micfoc-s | Lacerta 1:10 microfocus unit for SkyWatcher Crayford focuser. It solved the problem of not being able to a precise viewing focusing of this telescope.
