With the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ 130mm f/5 Reflector Telescope, exploring the wonders of the universe is as simple as 1-2-3: dock your smartphone, launch the StarSense Explorer smartphone app, and 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 when you follow the onscreen directions to find the object of interest and you look through the eyepiece, it will be there.

Optically, the massive 130mm 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. Its relatively short 650mm focal length makes the optical tube easy to handle during setup and breakdown while producing a moderate magnification potential. Supporting the telescope and StarSense holder is a basic manual single-arm alt-azimuth mount outfitted with dual-axis slow-motion control cables that let 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 couple of essential 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 simple red dot finder.

Open Box Products Have a Limited 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty    Use Smartphone App for Star Navigation    Follow Directions to Find Great Objects    Advanced Precise Alignment Algorithm    Oversized 130mm Reflector Optical Tube    Single Fork-Arm Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount    Dual-Axis Slow-Motion Control Arms    Includes 26x & 65x 1.25" Eyepieces    Adjustable-Height Aluminum Tripod    StarSense Explorer App for Android/iOS

• Download the 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

• Massive 130mm f/5 primary mirror enables users to view the moon, planets, stars, globular clusters, and other deep-space objects like galaxies, while reducing the secondary mirror obstruction, thus improving resolution
• 650mm focal length produces a moderate magnification potential with a highly portable length and weight
• 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: 45mm (1.73"); 34% by diameter, 11% by area
• Resolution: 1.07 arcsec, Rayleigh; 0.89 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 in this kit

• Manual alt-azimuth mount design is simple to set up and move
• Single fork-arm design reduces weight without sacrificing stability
• Dual-axis slow-motion control cables provide an easy way to move and precisely track objects with reduced vibration
• Simple setup and breakdown with dovetail saddle
• Adjustable-height aluminum tripod accommodates a variety of users and observing positions
• Maximum height of 49" including mount
• Center tray holds accessories such as eyepieces and filters

• 25mm eyepiece produces a low 26x power for observing the moon, planets, deep-sky objects, and constellations
• 10mm high-magnification eyepiece yields 65x power for detailed views of the lunar surface and planetary features
• Unmagnified StarPointer finderscope places a simple red dot in the field of view to make alignment and star hopping navigation faster and easier

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Can I put a Celestron 8" SCT on the mount? - I know the Vixen is fine, but I wonder regarding the weight - the 8" SCT is about 5.5 KG.

A: The tripod will not handle the weight of the 8" SCT OTA

Q: 2. What is the next level up for Celestron telescopes?

A: The next steep up would be the Celestron NexStar 130SLT 130mm f/5 Reflector Telescope BH #CEN130SLT • MFR #31145 https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/370208-REG/Celestron_31145_NexStar_130_SLT_5_1_130mm.html

Q: 3. Hi, do you have to plug this in the wall socket ? If yes then can it be used overseas with 220 volt or only 110

A: The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ 130mm f/5 AZ Reflector Telescope BH #CESSEDX130R • MFR #22461 has no motor or power movements, stickily manual. Check out some of the YouTube videos on the product.

Q: 4. Is this easy to disassemble to move or transport?

A: Yes this Model is very easy to disassemble since it is an AZ Mount. The Scope Assembled weigh's 18.0 lb / 8.2 kg (Fully Assembled). So I would say maneuverability shouldn't be an issue.

Q: 5. Can you see saturns rings with this? Is it clear? Also what would I need to buy to attach my Nikon d7500 to take photos?

A: Yes, you can view Saturn very clearly through the StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ. We recommend that you purchase a T-Ring for Nikon Camera #93402 and a Universal Barlow and T-Adapter 1.25" #93640 to take short exposure of the moon or bright planets. Because the telescope does not come with an equatorial tracking mount, you will not be able to take long exposure images. A Smartphone Adapter such as the Basic Smartphone Adapter, 1.25” #81035 is also available to help align your smartphone's camera lens with the telescope's eyepiece for short exposures.The Universal Barlow lens will also double the power of the eyepieces that came with the telescope.

Q: 6. Dose the telescope app have a way to take photos?

A: The StarSense Explorer app uses image data captured by the smartphone's camera to determine its pointing position. It does not take quality images of celestial targets. You will need to use a separate camera to take photos through the eyepiece.

Q: 7. Can this also function as a regular telescope (without the phone) if you sometimes want to use the telescope without the phone?

A: Of course you can. The Phone app is there to help you guide the telescope to specific objects quickly and accurately.

Q: 8. Is the primary mirror of parabolic design, since it is the DX or deluxe version?

A: Sorry but Celestron does not publish that specification

Q: 9. Is this easy to disassemble/reassemble to move and transport?

A: Seems so, see the Manual https://celestron-site-support-files.s3.amazonaws.com/support_files/22461_StarSense_Explorer%20DX_130AZ_QSG_06092020.pdf

Q: 10. where can I buy a 12 volt battery pack for the telescope?

A: The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ 102mm f/6.5 AZ Refractor Telescope BH #CESSEDX102R • MFR #22460 dose not use any batteries.