Celestron StarSense Explorer 8" Dobsonian
Celestron StarSense Explorer 8" Dobsonian
Celestron revolutionized the relationship between smartphone technology and amateur astronomy. Now they are doing it again! Joining the StarSense Explorer LT and DX telescopes are the StarSense Explorer Dobsonians. These telescopes are ideal for beginners thanks to the app’s user-friendly interface and detailed tutorials. Even experienced amateur astronomers will appreciate the 8" Dobsonian and fun technology that puts your smartphone to work. It’s like having your own personal tour guide of the night sky.
Included with the 8" Dobsonian is the StarSense Explorer dock and code card, a 25 mm 1.25" Plossl eyepiece, a Star-dot finder (for initial alignment if desired or daytime use), and a collimation cap.
Celestron’s StarSense Explorer is the first app designed to use the power of plate solving, the same technology used by big observatory telescopes and orbiting satellites, to figure out a smartphone's current pointing position, and when coupled with the specially designed smartphone dock on a Celestron StarSense Explorer Dobsonian, you have a manual telescope system that has the ability to capture an image of the night sky, process that image, extract the star pattern data and determine the center coordinates, all by itself, without requiring telescope alignment from the user. The large aperture of the telescope and high-quality coatings you can observe Jupiter's four Galilean moons, cloud bands, and the Great Red Spot! You can also see the rings of Saturn, our neighboring galaxy, Andromeda, and more! Looking for a larger aperture Dobsonian? Check out the Celestron StarSense Explorer 10" Dobsonian here at High Point Scientific!
The Celestron StarSense Explorer Dobsonian is Packed with High-Quality Features!
Celestron focuses on high-quality astronomy equipment that will take astronomers on countless adventurers through the night sky. This 8" StarSense Explorer Dobsonian will be the perfect vehicle to start those adventurers! Not only is the Dobsonian design easy to use, but it implements smartphone compatibility so users can make the most out of their viewing experience through easy alignment, navigation, and the ability to take images on your phone!
Dobsonian OTA
The Classic Dobsonian design is a much-loved staple of the amateur astronomy community. This 8" Dob OTA provides a large aperture that is perfect for gathering the light needed for clear views of many different celestial objects. This provides better views of faint objects. The XLT reflective coatings ensure there is good light throughput and the primary mirror's low-expansion material provides more optical path stability during fluctuating temperatures. The thin veins for the secondary mirror holder ensure there are minimal diffraction effects.
Included with the 8" StarSense Explorer Dobsonian is a 2" Crayford focuser with a 1.25" adapter. The metal focus knobs have been specifically designed to provide more clearance for your fingers. It even comes with a focus lock thumbscrew to help you keep that hard-earned focus. Celestron has also provided a removable 2" extension tube. Removing this extension tube provides more inward focus travel. On the side of the optical tube, you will find a convenient carry handle for easy transport to your favorite viewing spot or star parties.
Dobsonian Base
The alt-azimuth StarSense Explorer base includes many top-notch features that will make your viewing sessions a breeze! Both sturdy and aesthetically pleasing, the Dobsonian base is made from CARB compliant particle board with melamine surfaces and edge trim. For smooth up-and-down motion, this base has large 6" diameter altitude bearings. Integrated into the base is an altitude "brake" system. This system gives variable tensioning of altitude axis motion, meaning you get ultra-smooth motions, even with slight imbalances! The base also has Teflon azimuth bearings.
Unique to this base are the braces for the side panels that provide extra stability and rigidity. These types of braces are usually reserved for larger Dobsonians but do great to ensure the stability of this StarSense 8" Dobsonian setup.
Much like the OTA, the StarSense Explorer 8" Dobsonian base includes an easy-to-grip carry handle to make travel easier! You can also remove the eyepiece rack during times of travel and then put it back once you need a handy place to put extra eyepieces during your observation sessions.
Observatory Grade Software in the Palm of Your Hand!
By taking the concept of plate solving, a technique used by professional astronomers to determine their precise location when pointed at the sky, Celestron uses the camera of your smartphone to take photos of the sky and the StarSense Explorer App can accurately determine where the telescope is pointing. By knowing exactly where the telescope is pointed to in the night sky, it can then give you precise instructions on where to move your telescope to find your desired target. This unique method gives your manual telescope the capabilities of an observatory class system! After following a quick and simple two-step process to align your smartphone’s camera with the telescope's field of view, the Celestron StarSense Explorer App shows you the current night sky based on your location and a bulls eye to show you where your telescope is currently pointing. The next step is to observe! Find a good selection of targets from the Tonight's Best observing list, which shows the most popular objects that are currently visible from your location. Depending on the time of year, your location, and the time of night, the list might include planets like Jupiter or Saturn, galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and more. Follow the arrows displayed on your phone and be impressed by the views within your eyepiece! The StarSense Explorer telescopes work with a wide range of smartphones, including the iPhone 6 or higher and Android 7.1.2 smartphones that were manufactured in 2016 onward and have a camera, gyro and accelerometer sensor. For a complete list of compatible smartphones, take a look in the "Product Attachments" section below and download the PDF.
