Celestron StarSense Explorer 10 inch Dobson

The Celestron StarSense Explorer 10 inch Dobson revolutionises telescope navigation by integrating smartphone technology with precision optics. Using patented Lost in Space Algorithm (LISA) technology, the StarSense app analyses the night sky in real-time, pinpointing celestial objects with accuracy unmatched by standard planetarium applications. Simply dock your compatible smartphone, complete a quick 2-minute alignment, and the app guides you to visible targets with on-screen arrows and confirmation when objects are centred. The robust alt-azimuth Dobson mount features oversized altitude bearings with variable tension, Teflon azimuth bearings, and integrated height adjustment for smooth tracking of drifting celestial bodies. Its 254mm Newton optical tube captures sufficient light to reveal Jupiter's Galilean moons and cloud bands, Saturn's rings, and deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula and Pleiades cluster—impressive detail even from light-polluted urban locations. Weighing 24.9kg, the tube separates from the mount for easier transport. The included StarPointer red-dot finder enables daytime use or operation without the app. Compatible with most modern smartphones (iPhone 6+ and Android 7.1.2+), StarSense Explorer transforms amateur astronomy from complicated to intuitive.

StarSense Explorer maintains broad smartphone compatibility with iPhone 6 and later models, plus Android 7.1.2+ devices manufactured from 2016 onwards. The proprietary Lost in Space Algorithm (LISA)—derived from satellite reorientation technology—distinguishes this system from conventional astronomy applications. Whilst competing apps rely solely on smartphone gyroscopes and accelerometers with inherent accuracy limitations, LISA performs real-time star pattern recognition against an internal celestial database, enabling precise telescope positioning determination within the night sky. This algorithmic approach delivers unparalleled accuracy in object acquisition and visibility confirmation within the eyepiece—capabilities unmatched by standard planetarium software. The integration of smartphone-based optical analysis with patent-pending positioning technology fundamentally elevates observational precision beyond conventional digital aids. The Dobson mount accommodates the optional Powertank Glow 5000 accessory, a red-light flashlight that simultaneously functions as a smartphone power bank. This dual-purpose addition proves invaluable during extended observing sessions, maintaining device battery levels whilst preserving night vision through red-spectrum illumination—a practical enhancement for extended astronomical work.

The premium alt-azimuth Dobson mount delivers exceptional stability through large-diameter altitude bearings with adjustable tension, Teflon azimuth bearings, and reinforced side brackets—engineering refinements absent from standard 10-inch Dobson designs. An integrated altitude brake system enables precise tension adjustment along the vertical axis, accommodating minor imbalances for fluid tracking. The ergonomic focus knob ensures accurate positioning whilst minimising thermal interference from hand contact with the optical path, allowing effortless pursuit of celestial objects as they traverse the night sky. The 254mm Newton optical tube gathers substantial light, revealing exceptional detail across Jupiter's Galilean moons and atmospheric bands, Saturn's ring system, the Orion Nebula's trapezium, and the brilliant Pleiades cluster—substantially brighter views than smaller StarSense Explorer variants. Performance extends from light-polluted urban environments, where Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and prominent nebulae remain accessible, to darker skies where the Andromeda Galaxy and Hercules Cluster become readily observable. At 24.9kg, the assembly remains portable; the optical tube detaches from the mount for simplified transport. Included components comprise the 254mm Newton tube, smartphone dock, 25mm eyepiece (48× magnification), red-dot StarPointer finder, and Dobson mount with Powertank Glow 5000 compatibility.