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Please note that this item weighs over our 30-kilo weight capacity and therefore does not qualify for free shipping. The item is also shipped as two parcels and therefore may not arrive together. The shipping costs are as follows:
Mainland UK (excluding Scottish Highlands): £40
Scottish Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Shetland, or Orkney: £140
Rest of World or Channel Islands: See International Orders >
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Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian Telescope
Unleash the power of the stars through your smartphone with the Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian telescope. No experience is required to get the most out of this Dobsonian, simply use the award-winning app to guide you through the solar system. This remarkably portable telescope is an excellent choice for city-dwellers or dark sky locators.
For an even brighter view, see the StarSense Explorer 10-inch Dobsonian Telescope >
Award-winning Technology
The StarSense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian Telescope makes use of Celestron’s patented and award-winning StarSense Explorer App that can locate faint, deep-sky objects in seconds.
Available for Android and iOS, the app is able to recognise where you are in the world and generate a list of the objects that are currently visible to you. View anything from planets, nebulae, galaxies, star clusters and double stars.
City and Dark Sky Ready
Constructed with an advanced enough optical structure, the Dobsonian design of this telescope is operational even in light-polluted city locations. See the likes of Jupiter, Saturn and the Orion Nebula from the comfort of your city environment.
Alternatively, take the Explorer to a remote Dark Sky location to view hundreds of fascinating objects. Transporting the Dobsonian is easy thanks to the ergonomic carry handles located at the balance point of the optical tube and the base.
Bright, Dobsonian Telescope
The large aperture 8” Newtonian reflector optical tube has a huge light-gathering capability that brings out impressive detail in celestial objects. The entire telescope has been carefully constructed to ensure the height of optical excellence.
Every mirrored surface is coated with Celestron’s XLT optical coating, that visibly increases contrast and light, drawing in brighter views. The mirrors within the telescope are made of low-expansion optical glass, which helps to ensure the best images under changing environmental conditions.
High-Quality Altazimuth Base
A large telescope design requires a sturdy telescope mount. The StarSense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian Telescope comes with a high-quality Altazimuth Base that features large-diameter altitude bearings with variable tensioning, Teflon azimuth bearings, and braces on the side panels for extra stability.
Smoothly adjust the height of the telescope while an integrated altitude “brake” system allows you to adjust the tension along the altitude axis. Pan the telescope using the ergonomic grip that allows you to precisely point the telescope without introducing heat from your hands into the optical system.
Accessories Included
Included with the telescope are all the accessories you need to get started. A high-quality 2” Crayford focuser provides smooth and precise movements without focus shifting and features a thumbscrew that locks the sharpest focus. A 2” to 1.25” adapter and a 2” extension tube are also included to allow the use of almost any 1.25” or 2” telescope eyepiece.
Dock, Launch, Explore
Put down the complex star charts, and leave the computerised mounts at home, the StarSense Explorer makes locating objects quick and easy. Simply dock your phone into the StarSense dock, launch the StarSense Explorer app and accurately locate objects in minutes.
The application shows clear green arrows that guide you as you move your telescope across the night sky. When the object is ready to view in the eyepiece, the bullseye turns green. Then, as you observe through the eyepiece, listen to hundreds of audio descriptions and view detailed information about thousands of objects within the app’s database.
Key Features
- Large Dobsonian Telescope
- Bright 8-inch aperture
- Uses the StarSense Explorer app
- App locates and guides you to objects
- No astronomy experience required
- High-quality altazimuth base
- Quick to set up
- Good in light-polluted areas
- View hundreds of deep sky objects
View the specifications here >
What’s in the box?
- Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian Telescope
- 25mm Plossl Eyepiece
- 2” Crayford Focuser
- StarSense Smartphone Dock
- StarPointer Red Dot Finderscope
- Eyepiece Rack
- Collimation Tool
FAQs
Is this telescope suitable for amateur astronomers?
The joy of the StarSense Explorer range is that it requires no previous astronomy experience. The StarSense Explorer app will guide your telescope to all the best astronomical views.
What can I expect to see with this telescope?
You can expect sharp, bright views of Jupiter’s four Galilean moons, its cloud bands and Great Red Spot, the rings of Saturn, the gaseous glow of the Orion Nebula, and dust lanes in the Lagoon Nebula, and our neighbour galaxy, Andromeda.
What phones are compatible with the StarSense Explorer App?
StarSense Explorer is compatible with the iPhone 6 and newer, and Android phones running Android 7.1.2 and higher. To check out full compatibility click here >
Need something larger?
Check out our Tabletop models and larger Dobsonians.
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