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Smithsonian by Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Refractor Telescope

Smithsonian by Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Refractor Telescope

Item #: 22211

In stock

Regular price $249.95
Regular price Sale price $249.95

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2-Year Warranty

  • Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian, this telescope combines Celestron's trusted optics and patented sky recognition technology to make exploring the night sky easy and fun.
  • Unleash the power of your smartphone to take you on a guided tour of the night sky—no prior telescope experience required.
  • Place your smartphone in the dock and launch the app. StarSense Explorer analyzes star patterns overhead and guides you to your target with bullseye accuracy.
  • 80mm fully coated refractor delivers bright, sharp views of the Moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae, and more.
  • Manual altazimuth mount with slow-motion rod makes it easy to precisely track celestial objects as they move across the sky.
  • StarSense Explorer Powered by SkySafari™ app displays a list of objects currently visible from your location and generates easy-to-follow on-screen arrows to help you find them.
  • Includes everything you need to get started: StarSense smartphone dock, full-height adjustable tripod, 25mm and 10mm eyepieces, erect image diagonal, StarPointer™ red-dot finderscope (AAA batteries not included), accessory tray, and a 2-year warranty.

Specifications

Optical Tube Info:
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: None
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, and Celestron Starry Night Basic Edition Software
Total Kit Weight: 9.2 lbs (4.17 kg)
Included Items: Optical tube
Mount and tripod (preassembled)
25mm and 10mm eyepieces
Erect image diagonal
2x Barlow Lens
StarPointer™ red dot finderscope (2x AAA batteries not included)
Accessory tray
StarSense Explorer phone dock
Additional Information
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.
California Prop 65 California Prop 65 Warning

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

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Included Celestron Technologies

  • StarSense Explorer
  • Starry Night

Celestron has reinvented the beginner telescope with StarSense Explorer, and now it's available as part of the Smithsonian by Celestron collection. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian, the Smithsonian by Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ uses your smartphone to analyze the night sky and calculate its position in real time. This 80mm refractor is ideal for beginners, thanks to the app's user-friendly interface, detailed tutorials, and patented sky recognition technology. It's like having your own personal tour guide to the night sky.

This special Smithsonian edition telescope also includes access to bonus educational content by the Smithsonian and Celestron to help you continue exploring.

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 Powered by SkySafari™ app.

After 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.

Sturdy Altazimuth Mount

StarSense Explorer LT’s simple altazimuth mount makes it easy to move the telescope to find your target. An altitude slow motion adjustment with a sliding rod 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.

Bright, Detailed Views with 80mm Optics

The 80mm fully coated refractor delivers crisp, high-contrast views of the Moon, planets, and many of the brightest deep-sky objects. Observe the rugged lunar surface in stunning detail, Jupiter's cloud bands and four Galilean moons, Saturn's rings, the Orion Nebula, the Pleiades, and much more.


The refractor design requires very little maintenance and never needs collimation, making it an excellent choice for first-time telescope owners.

Perfect for the City or Dark Sky Sites

Even if you observe from a light-polluted neighborhood, the Smithsonian by Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ easily reveals many of the night sky's brightest celestial objects, including Jupiter, Saturn, the Moon, bright star clusters, double stars, and the Orion Nebula.

Take it to a darker location, and even more celestial treasures become visible. The lightweight optical tube and tripod make transporting the telescope easy, whether you're observing in your backyard, at a campsite, or under dark country skies.

Continue Your Exploration with Smithsonian by Celestron

For 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.

Your 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.

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. For a complete compatibility list, click here.

Patented StarSense Sky Recognition Technology

StarSense 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.

While 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.

Observe Longer with the PowerTank Glow 5000

Keep your phone charged all night while exploring with your StarSense Explorer by adding the PowerTank Glow 5000 (sold separately). This 2-in-1 accessory combines a red flashlight with a USB power bank, making it the perfect companion for extended observing sessions.

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