StarSense Series

The Celestron StarSense Explorer Series is a line of smartphones-assisted telescopes designed for beginners and amateur astronomers. These telescopes utilize the StarSense Explorer Technology, which integrates with a smartphone app to assist with alignment and navigation, making it easier to locate and observe celestial objects. The key difference from other Celestron models is that this series is designed to work with your smartphone for real-time, automatic alignment using your device's camera.

Celestron StarSense Explorer Series: Overview

The Celestron StarSense Explorer Series offers a range of telescopes, including refractors and Newtonian reflectors (on altazimuth mounts and tabletop Dobsonian mounts), all designed with StarSense smartphone-assisted alignment. The series provides a simple and intuitive experience, especially for beginners and intermediate users.

1. StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ

• Type: Refractor
• Aperture: 70 mm (2.8 inches)
• Focal Length: 700 mm
• Focal Ratio: f/10
• Mount Type: Altazimuth (AZ)
• StarSense Features: Smartphone-assisted alignment using the StarSense Explorer app.
• Best For: Beginners, users looking for a lightweight and easy-to-use telescope.
• Weight: 6 lbs (2.7 kg)

2. StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ

• Type: Refractor
• Aperture: 102 mm (4 inches)
• Focal Length: 660 mm
• Focal Ratio: f/6.5
• Mount Type: Altazimuth (AZ)
• StarSense Features: Smartphone-assisted alignment using the StarSense Explorer app.
• Best For: Users who want a larger aperture for better planetary and deep-sky views.
• Weight: 10 lbs (4.5 kg)

3. StarSense Explorer 114AZ

• Type: Newtonian Reflector
• Aperture: 114 mm (4.5 inches)
• Focal Length: 500 mm
• Focal Ratio: f/4.4
• Mount Type: Altazimuth (AZ)
• StarSense Features: Smartphone-assisted alignment using the StarSense Explorer app.
• Best For: Beginners looking for a versatile telescope for both planetary and deep-sky objects.
• Weight: 17 lbs (7.7 kg)

4. StarSense Explorer 130AZ

• Type: Newtonian Reflector
• Aperture: 130 mm (5 inches)
• Focal Length: 650 mm
• Focal Ratio: f/5
• Mount Type: Altazimuth (AZ)
• StarSense Features: Smartphone-assisted alignment using the StarSense Explorer app.
• Best For: Intermediate users who want a larger aperture for more detailed views of deep-sky objects.
• Weight: 17 lbs (7.7 kg)

5. StarSense Tabletop Dobsonian (StarSense 130)

• Type: Newtonian Reflector
• Aperture: 130 mm (5 inches)
• Focal Length: 650 mm
• Focal Ratio: f/5
• Mount Type: Tabletop Dobsonian
• StarSense Features: Smartphone-assisted alignment using the StarSense Explorer app.
• Best For: Users who want a portable, stable platform for deep-sky observations with easy smartphone-assisted alignment.
• Weight: 18 lbs (8.2 kg)

Comparison Table

Key Features & Differences

1. Aperture:

   • The StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ has the smallest aperture at 70 mm, which is suitable for basic planetary viewing.
   • The StarSense Explorer 130AZ and StarSense Tabletop Dobsonian offer 130 mm apertures, providing better light-gathering power for deeper sky objects.

2. Mount Type:

   • Altazimuth mounts (found in the Explorer LT and Explorer DX series) are good for beginners, offering intuitive control to move the telescope up/down and left/right.
   • The StarSense Tabletop Dobsonian provides a more stable base and is designed for better deep-sky observation, making it more suitable for users looking for a stable setup but still with portability.

3. Smartphone Alignment:

   • All models feature smartphone-assisted alignment with the StarSense Explorer app, making alignment easier and quicker compared to traditional methods.

4. Portability:

   • The LT 70AZ and DX 102AZ are lighter and more portable, ideal for users who need easy transportation.
   • The StarSense Tabletop Dobsonian is still portable but weighs more due to its larger mirror and tabletop mount.

Conclusion

• StarSense Explorer Models: Best for users looking for easy setup, portability, and smartphone-assisted alignment. The 70 mm and 102 mm refractors are excellent for beginners, while the 114 mm and 130 mm reflectors provide more detailed views.
• StarSense Tabletop Dobsonian: Offers a more stable platform with a larger aperture for deeper sky observations, ideal for users who are willing to sacrifice some portability for better performance.

This series provides versatile options for both beginners and intermediate users, offering an ideal balance of portability, easy setup, and good performance across different types of telescopes.