Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ 102mm f/6.5 AZ Refractor Telescope

Features

With the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ 102mm f/6.5 AZ Refractor Telescope, exploring the wonders of the universe is as simple as 1-2-3:

• Dock your smartphone
• Launch the StarSense Explorer smartphone app
• Observe the moon, planets, stars, and more

Innovative Integration

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.

Optical Performance

Optically, the 102mm objective lens offers clear views of the lunar surface and planetary features with the ability to reach out beyond our solar system to view bright deep-sky objects—producing accurate color representation and little field curvature at the edges of the view. 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.

Complete Observation Rig

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 90° diagonal that not only places your head in a comfortable viewing position when the scope is pointed directly overhead but also corrects the view so you can use the telescope as a conventional spotting scope.

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 attached to, and aligned with, the optical tube
• 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

• 102mm f/6.5 aperture to view the moon, planets, constellations, and bright deep-sky objects like clusters and galaxies
• 650mm focal length produces a moderate magnification potential with a highly portable length and weight
• Refractor design requires very little maintenance by the user or collimation over time
• Anti-reflection fully coated glass optics maximize light transmission through the light path to ensure bright and clear views with improved resolution
• Resolution: 1.37 arcsec, Rayleigh; 1.14 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

Mount and Tripod

• 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" (124cm) including mount
• Center tray holds accessories such as eyepieces and filters

Included Accessories

• 90° erect-image diagonal corrects view to use the telescope as a conventional spotting scope while providing a comfortable viewing angle, especially when the scope is aimed overhead
• 25mm eyepiece produces a low 26x power for observing the moon, planets, deep-sky objects, and constellations
• 10mm high-magnification eyepiece yields 66x 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

Specifications

Optical Design

Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph

Aperture

152mm (5.98")

Focal Length

335mm (13.18")

Focal Ratio

f/2.2

Optical Coatings

StarBright XLT coatings throughout

Central Obstruction Diameter

63mm (2.48") (41% of aperture diameter)

Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye)

474x

Image Resolution

1.48 arcsec/pixel

Dovetail

CG-5 Dovetail Bar

Filter Drawer

Integrated, accepts 1.25" or 2" astroimaging filters

Imaging Sensor Info

CMOS Image Sensor

Sony IMX178LQJ, color, back-illuminated

Sensor Size

8.92mm (0.35") diagonal

Pixel Size

2.4µm x 2.4µm

Number of Effective Pixels

6.44M (3096 x 2080)

Field of View

1.27° x 0.85°

Integrated Electronics Info

Onboard Computer

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

Mount

Computerized GoTo altazimuth mount

Dew Prevention

Fully automated heating element integrated into front lens, removable dew shield/lens shade

Focus Motor

Autofocus or manual control

Cooling Fans

One (1) fan for optics, one (1) fan for electronics, both pull air through vents with wire mesh

LED Status Ring

Indicates status "at-a-glance"

Ports Info

USB-A

Two (2) on optical tube for accessing raw image files for external processing, one (1) on mount for mobile device charging only

Ethernet

One (1) on optical tube

Auxiliary Ports

Two (2) on optical tube, four (4) on mount

Power Info

Battery

Integrated LiFePO4, 97.9 Wh, capable of 6+ hours of use

Power Input

12V DC adapter for charging internal battery or running on external AC power

User Interface Info

Celestron Origin App

Runs on compatible iOS or Google Play smartphones and tablets

System Requirements

iOS 16 or higher, Android 12 or higher

Dimensions

Optical Tube

609.6mm x 177.8mm (24" x 7") diameter

Mount

457.2mm x 304.8mm x 254mm (18" x 12" x 10")

Tripod (Collapsed)

330.2mm x 304.8 x 812.8mm (13" x 12" x 32")

Assembled System

609.6mm L x 660.4mm W x 1219.2mm H (24" L x 26" W x 48" H)

Weight

Optical Tube

10.6 lb (4.8 kg)

Mount

17 lb (7.7 kg)

Tripod

14 lb (6.35 kg)

Total System

41.6 lb (18.87 kg)

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 optic 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 unsupervised. Make sure an adult who is familiar with the correct operating procedures is with your optic at all times, especially when children are present.