Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80mm Refractor Telescope
- StarSense Explorer app automatically generates a list of objects currently visible. View planets, brighter nebulae and galaxies, star clusters, and double stars from the city. Or take your telescope to darker skies to view faint, deep sky objects.
- Manual altazimuth mount with smooth, dual-axis slow-motion controls makes it easy to follow the on-screen arrows to your desired target. When the bullseye turns green, it’s ready to view in the telescope’s eyepiece.
- 80mm refractor with fully coated glass optics for bright, sharp views.
- Includes 25mm and 10mm eyepieces, 2x Barlow Lens, StarSense smartphone dock, erect image diagonal, a red dot finderscope (in case you want to use the telescope without your phone), and a full-height tripod.
Awaiting Review
Celestron has reinvented the manual telescope with StarSense Explorer—the first telescope that uses your smartphone to analyze the night sky and calculate its position in real time. StarSense Explorer is ideal for beginners thanks to the app’s user-friendly interface and detailed tutorials. It’s like having your own personal tour guide of the night sky.
Dock, Launch, Explore
Leave complicated star charts, imprecise planetarium apps, and computerized mounts behind. With StarSense Explorer, locating objects has never been easier, faster, or more accurate. Within minutes of setting up the telescope, you’ll be navigating the sky with confidence. Simply place your phone in the unique StarSense dock and launch the StarSense Explorer app. After aligning your phone to the telescope’s optics (a quick, 2-minute procedure), StarSense Explorer generates a list of celestial objects currently visible. Make your selection and arrows appear onscreen, guiding you as you to move the telescope. When the object is ready to view, the bullseye turns green.
Smartphone Compatibility
StarSense Explorer works with most modern smartphones, including iPhone 6 and up and most devices running Android 7.1.2 or later manufactured since 2016. For a complete compatibility list, click here.
Patent-Pending StarSense Sky Recognition Technology
StarSense Explorer uses patent-pending technology and your smartphone to determine exactly where the telescope is pointed in the night sky. A Lost in Space Algorithm (LISA), like the ones satellites use in orbit to correctly reorient themselves, helps the app match star patterns it detects overhead to its internal database.
While other astronomy apps may claim that they can help you find objects, they rely exclusively on the phone’s gyros and accelerometers, which aren’t as accurate as LISA technology. No other app can accurately tell you when your target is visible in the eyepiece.
Sturdy Altazimuth Mount
StarSense Explorer LT’s simple altazimuth mount makes it easy to move the telescope to find your target. A slow-motion altitude adjustment knob helps you fine tune the telescope’s pointing position and follow targets as they appear to drift across the night sky. It’s all anchored by an adjustable, full-height tripod.
Dazzling Views with High Quality Optics
You can expect sharp, bright views through this 80mm refractor. Fully coated glass optics provide increased light transmission, enhancing details in celestial objects. The telescope also includes a 90-degree erect image diagonal, so you can use it during the day to view birds, wildlife, landscapes, and more.
Perfect for the City or Dark Sky Sites
Even if you live in a light polluted city location, StarSense Explorer is advanced enough to be able to pick out Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, the Orion Nebula, double stars, and a few more of the most famous celestial objects.
But if you can take the telescope to an even slightly darker location, more objects will become visible. The entire telescope kit weighs just 9.2 pounds, so it’s perfectly portable and easy to bring on your next camping trip or to a remote observing site.
Everything You Need to Observe Immediately
When you unbox your new StarSense Explorer LT, you’ll find:
- 80mm refractor optical tube
- StarSense dock for your smartphone
- Low powered (25mm) and high powered (10mm) eyepiece
- 2x Barlow lens to double the power of each eyepiece
- 90-degree erect image diagonal
- StarPointer red dot finderscope, perfect for using the telescope during the day or without the StarSense Explorer app
- Altazimuth mount with slow motion control rod
- Full-height tripod with an accessory tray to keep you organized
Optical Design Refractor Aperture 80mm (3.1") Focal Length 900mm (35.43") Focal Ratio f/11 Focal Length of Eyepiece 1 25mm (0.98") Magnification of Eyepiece 1 36x Focal Length of Eyepiece 2 10mm (0.39") Magnification of Eyepiece 2 90x Barlow Lens 2x (1.25") Finderscope StarPointer™ red dot finderscope Star Diagonal Erect image 90° (1.25") Optical Tube Aluminum Highest Useful Magnification 189x Lowest Useful Magnification 11x Limiting Stellar Magnitude 12 Resolution (Rayleigh) 1.74 arc seconds Resolution (Dawes) 1.45 arc seconds Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye) 131x Optical Coatings Fully-Coated glass optics Optical Tube Length 965mm (38") Optical Tube Diameter 90mm (3.54") Optical Tube Weight 5.4 lbs (2.45 kg) Dovetail None MOUNT INFO: Mount Type Manual Alt-Azimuth Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod) Aluminum, 1320.8mm (52") max height Tripod Leg Diameter 31.75mm (1.25") steel Accessory Tray Yes Tripod Weight 3.8 lbs (1.72 kg) Slew Speeds Manual GPS Uses phone's GPS Dovetail Compatibility CG-5 Dovetail bar Power Requirements None (Recommend PowerTank Glow to keep phone charged while using app) Alignment Procedures Use StarSense Explorer app Software StarSense Explorer app | SkyPortal app | Celestron Starry Night Basic Edition Software Total Kit Weight 9.2 lbs (4.17 kg) Included Items Telescope tube | Mount/tripod (preassembled) | 25mm & 10mm eyepieces | Erect image diagonal | 2x Barlow lens | StarPointer finderscope | Accessory tray | StarSense Explorer phone dock All products sold by Focalpoint online and by Mail Order are covered by a 14 Day "Cooling Off" period.
We additionally allow No-Fault returns beyond this subject to a restocking charge at our discretion.
You must notify us of a Return within 7 days of receiving your item/items by visiting our Returns Portal and requesting a return, once approved you must return your item within 7 days.
We strongly recommend you use our Prepaid Return Courier and that you insure your return against loss or damage as we accept no liability for items returned damaged or that are lost.
Provided your return qualifies, is within the "Cooling Off" Period and is returned in a satisfactory condition your return will be processed in line with all current Consumer Rights Regulations.
We understand sometimes things go wrong or you change your mind and you may need to return an item.
With just a few clicks our Returns Portal will find your order details and guide you through the return process in under 60 seconds.
Once we have your order details and you have selected your return reason and selected our prepaid label or your own courier, our system will take over and keep you updated of the progress of your return from Courier Acceptance to Delivery to our Returns Department, to your final resolution (Exchange, Repair, Upgrade or Full/Partial Refund).
All you need to do is parcel up your item in secure packaging and follow the instructions provided.
Update Date 31/10/2025
Smartphone Compatibility
StarSense Explorer works with most modern smartphones; it is compatible with Android 12 and later, as well as iOS 18 and newer, including iPhone XR and newer models. Users with older phones can still use this app , butwill not be able to reinstall the app if they uninstall it. For a complete compatibility list, clickhere.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
