copy of Dobson CELESTRON Starsense Explorer 10" 254/1200 Dobson telescope with smartphone application

Dobson CELESTRON Starsense Explorer 10" Dobson telescope with smartphone application

Celestron has reinvented the Dobson telescope with patented StarSense Explorer technology, the first Dobson to use your smartphone to analyze the night sky and calculate your position in real time. This wide aperture Celestron StarSense Explorer is ideal for beginners thanks to the usability of the app and the detailed tutorials that come with it. It's like having your own personal guide to the night sky. The large aperture will ensure that you won't outgrow your telescope as you continue your astronomical adventures. Truly, as technical advisors to the entire Telescopiomania team, we are confident that this telescope will make a difference. All beginner amateurs who start with a 254mm diameter Dobson like this one are satisfied amateurs who grow as they observe. The telescope does not let them down at all and that makes the hobby a success. Now, this model, with Starsense Explorer technology means you don't need a GOTO telescope to locate all the stars in the sky.

Dock, launch, explore

Leave behind complicated star charts, imprecise planetary software applications and GOTO (computerized) mounts. With StarSense Explorer technology, locating objects has never been easier, faster and more accurate. Within minutes of setting up the telescope, you'll be navigating the sky with confidence. Just place your phone in the unique StarSense base and launch the StarSense Explorer application.

After aligning your phone with the telescope's optics (a quick and easy procedure), StarSense Explorer generates a list of currently visible celestial objects. Make your selection and arrows appear on the screen, guiding you as you move the telescope. When the object is ready to be viewed in the eyepiece, the target turns green. As you watch, listen to hundreds of audio descriptions and view detailed information about thousands of objects in the application's robust database.

High-quality altazimuth base

An ultra-stable Dobson base provides a sturdy foundation for the StarSense Explorer. It features large diameter altitude bearings with variable tension, Teflon azimuth bearings and side panel reinforcements for added stability (unlike most 10" Dobsonian bases). The altitude shaft bearings provide smooth up and down movement, while the integrated altitude "brake" system allows you to adjust the tension along the altitude shaft for smoother movement even with slight imbalances. The travel knob on the telescope tube provides an ergonomic grip so you can precisely aim the telescope without introducing the heat given off by your hands into the optical system. When celestial objects appear to move across the night sky, you can easily track them with small adjustments to the telescope's position.

Dazzling views with high-quality optics

With a large 10" Newtonian reflector optical tube, this telescope has enough light-gathering power to get stunning detail of celestial objects while remaining remarkably portable. You can expect sharp, bright views of Jupiter's four Galilean moons, its cloud bands and Great Red Spot, Saturn's rings, the gaseous glow of the Orion Nebula, the dust lanes in the Lagoon Nebula, and our neighboring galaxy, Andromeda. Compared to the StarSense Explorer DX 130 AZ, the 8" Dobsonian has 380% more light gathering area, providing better views of faint deep sky objects.

All mirror surfaces are coated with our XLT optical coatings to visibly increase contrast and light passage for brighter views. With XLT, you will be able to discern subtle details while observing 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. In other words, you will not suffer from changes in focus position caused by temperature changes throughout the observing night.

This telescope also comes with a high quality 2" Crayford focuser. The Crayford design provides precise and smooth movements with no focus drift. 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 Dobson StarSense Explorer. The focuser also features a thumbscrew so you can lock in sharper focus.

Perfect for city or dark sky sites

Even if you live in a light-polluted city location, the Celestron StarSense Explorer 10" Dobson is advanced enough to easily pick up Jupiter, Saturn, open star clusters like the Pleiades, double stars like Alberius, the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, and more of the best and brightest celestial objects.

But if you can take the telescope to an even darker location, more objects will be visible. With this 10" Dobson and relatively dark skies, hundreds of fascinating objects are within reach.

Carrying your StarSense Explorer Dobsonian is easy thanks to the ergonomic handles located at the balance point of the tube and base. Dust covers for the front of the tube and focuser are also included.

Smartphone compatibility

The Celestron StarSense Explorer works with most modern smartphones, including iPhone 6 and above, and most devices running Android 7.1.2 or later manufactured since 2016. For a full compatibility list please consult our technicians at Telescopiomania.

Patented sky recognition technology: Celestron StarSense

StarSense Explorer uses patented technology and your smartphone to determine exactly where the telescope is pointing in the night sky. A location algorithm (Lost In Space Algorithm - LISA), like those used by orbiting satellites to orient themselves correctly, helps the app match the star patterns it detects overhead to its internal database.

Although other astronomy apps claim they can help you find objects, they rely exclusively on the phone's gyroscopes and accelerometers, which are not as accurate as LISA technology. No other app can accurately tell you when your target is visible in the eyepiece.

Improve your setup

Take a look at the recommended accessories section as the potential of this telescope, with the right accessories is virtually unlimited.

Technical specifications:

OPTICAL TUBE INFORMATION:

• Optical design: Newton Reflector
• Aperture: 254mm (10")
• Focal Length: 1200mm (47.24")
• Focal Ratio: f/4.7
• Eyepiece focal length 1: 25mm (0.98")
• Eyepiece 1 Magnification: 48x
• Maximum useful magnification: 600x
• Minimum useful magnification: 36x
• Limiting stellar magnitude: 14.7
• Light gathering power: 1,317x compared to the human eye
• Optical coatings: XLT reflective coatings with protective coating of silicon dioxide and tantalum pentoxide for primary and secondary mirrors
• Mirror material: Pyrex for primary and secondary mirrors
• Primary mirror thickness: 30 mm (1.18") (approximate thickness ratio 1:8)
• Secondary mirror thickness: 11.5 mm (0.33")
• Minor axis of secondary mirror 64mm (1.85")
• Tube material: Steel
• Focuser: 2" Crayford focuser, includes 2" extension tube and 2" to 1.25" adapter.
• Finder: StarPointer™ red dot LED finder
• Rayleigh Resolution: 0.55 arc seconds
• Dawes resolution: 0.46 arc seconds
• Optical tube dimensions: 1117.6 mm x 292.1 mm in diameter
• Optical tube weight: 13.24 kg (44 lbs.)

MOUNT INFORMATION

• Frame type: Altazimutal Dobson Base
• Base material: Particleboard with melamine surfaces and edges, CARB compliant
• Base dimensions: 673.1mm x 533.4mm x 533.4mm
• Base weight: 11.6 kg
• Rotation speeds: Manual
• Software: Celestron Starry Night Basic Edition Software and StarSense Explorer App
• Total weight of the telescope kit: 24.86 kg
• Items included
  • Optical tube
  • Dobsonian base
  • 25 mm eyepiece
  • 2" Crayford focuser.
  • StarPointer™ red dot finder
  • StarSense Explorer Base
  • StarSense Explorer Unlock Code
  • Eyepiece holder
  • Collimation cap
  • Software Celestron Starry Night Basic Edition

Solar Warning

• Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or with an optic (unless you have the proper solar filter). Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result.
• Never use your optics to project an image of the Sun onto any surface. Internal heat build-up can damage the optic and any accessories attached to it.
• Never leave your optic unattended. Make sure an adult who is familiar with proper operating procedures is with your optic at all times, especially when children are present.

Here you can see a very clear video on how this telescope works and the Starsense Explorer technology based on the "plate solving" technique thanks to the combination of the algorithm present in the APP and the image of the sky captured with your smartphone camera:

Dobson CELESTRON Starsense Explorer 10" Dobson telescope with smartphone app