{"product_id":"smithsonian-by-celestron-starsense-explorer-130mm-smartphone-app-enabled-tabletop-dobsonian-telescope","title":"Smithsonian by Celestron StarSense Explorer 130mm Smartphone App-Enabled Tabletop Dobsonian Telescope","description":"\u003cp\u003eCelestron has reinvented the tabletop Dobsonian telescope with StarSense Explorer—and now it's available as part of the Smithsonian by Celestron collection. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian, this groundbreaking tabletop Dobsonian uses your smartphone to analyze the night sky and calculate its position in real time. This 130mm aperture telescope is ideal for beginners, with enough light-gathering power to show you all the most exciting celestial objects. The app's user-friendly interface and detailed tutorials are like having your own personal tour of the night sky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis special Smithsonian edition telescope also includes access to bonus educational content by the Smithsonian and Celestron to help you continue exploring.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDock, Launch, Explore\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeave 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter aligning your phone to the telescope's optics (a quick and easy procedure), StarSense Explorer generates a list of celestial objects currently visible. Make your selection and arrows appear on-screen to guide you as you move the telescope. When the object is ready to view in the eyepiece, the bullseye turns green. As you observe, listen to hundreds of audio descriptions and view detailed information about thousands of objects within the app's robust database.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh-Quality Altazimuth Base\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stable tabletop Dobsonian base provides a sturdy foundation for StarSense Explorer. The tabletop base is compact, lightweight, and easy to transport, making it perfect for travel. The base's low profile makes it easier for some observers (especially children) to access the eyepiece. You can also place the base on a stable platform, like a table or a truck tailgate, to raise it to a comfortable viewing height. Consider adding the optional StarSense Explorer Tabletop Dobsonian Tripod for even more viewing possibilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTeflon bearings provide smooth motion in both the altitude (up-and-down) and azimuth (side-to-side) axes. The integrated altitude \"brake\" system allows you to adjust the tension along the altitude axis to ensure the smoothest motion, even with slight imbalances. As celestial objects appear to drift across the night sky, you'll be able to follow them easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe optical tube connects to the base via tube rings and a dovetail bar. It's easy to adjust the tube's position within the rings to put the focuser in the most ergonomic viewing position. The base features an eyepiece rack to keep your extra eyepiece(s) close at hand.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDazzling Views with Excellent Optics \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a 130mm (5.1\") parabolic primary mirror, this telescope has enough light-gathering ability to bring out detail in celestial objects. You can expect sharp, bright views of Jupiter's four Galilean moons, its cloud bands and Great Red Spot, the rings of Saturn, the Trapezium in the Orion Nebula, and the beautiful Pleiades Open Star Cluster. You'll be able to discern subtle details while viewing the Moon and planets, as well as faint galaxies and nebulae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis telescope features a 1.25\" rack-and-pinion focuser that accepts 1.25\" eyepieces and includes dust covers for the front of the tube and the focuser.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePerfect for the City or Dark Sky Sites\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven if you live in a light-polluted city location, the Smithsonian by Celestron StarSense Explorer 130mm Tabletop Dobsonian is advanced enough to easily pick out Jupiter, Saturn, open star clusters like the Pleiades, double stars like Albireo, the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, and more of the best and brightest celestial objects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut if you can take the telescope to an even slightly darker location, even more objects will become visible. With this 130mm Dobsonian and relatively dark skies, hundreds of fascinating objects are well within your reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Smithsonian by Celestron StarSense Explorer Tabletop Dobsonian is lightweight and equipped with carry handles, making it easy to transport to your observing site.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContinue Your Exploration with Smithsonian by Celestron\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor nearly 180 years, the Smithsonian has inspired curiosity through scientific discovery, research, education, and exploration. Celestron is proud to collaborate with the Smithsonian to create products that encourage a lifelong passion for astronomy and make the wonders of the night sky more accessible to everyone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour journey doesn't end after your first observing session. Your purchase includes access to the Smithsonian x Celestron Explorer Hub, where you’ll find astronomy guides, observing tips, educational articles, and additional resources designed to help you continue exploring the universe.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmartphone Compatibility\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarSense 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, but will not be able to reinstall the app if they uninstall it. For a complete compatibility list, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/starsenseexplorer.simcur.com\/\"\u003eclick here\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePatented StarSense Sky Recognition Technology\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarSense Explorer uses patented 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 orient themselves, helps the app match star patterns it detects overhead to its internal database.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile other astronomy apps may claim 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObserve Longer with the PowerTank Glow 5000\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep your phone charged all night while exploring with your StarSense Explorer by adding the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.celestron.com\/products\/powertank-glow-5000\"\u003ePowerTank Glow 5000\u003c\/a\u003e (sold separately). Engineered with StarSense Explorer tabletop Dobsonians in mind, this 2-in-1 accessory combines a red flashlight and a USB power bank to charge your mobile device in the field. Two included bands attach the PowerTank Glow 5000 to the tabletop Dob base handle, an ideal location for charging your smartphone while you observe.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Celestron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47286548922543,"sku":"22212","price":479.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1935\/4371\/files\/22212_Smithsonian_SSE_Tabletop_130_Dob_01.jpg?v=1785531080","url":"https:\/\/www.celestron.com\/products\/smithsonian-by-celestron-starsense-explorer-130mm-smartphone-app-enabled-tabletop-dobsonian-telescope","provider":"Celestron","version":"1.0","type":"link"}