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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.
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.
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 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.
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.
With a large 127mm (5”) objective lens, 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 beautiful Pleaides Open Star Cluster.
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. With this 5” Newtonian and relatively dark skies, the Andromeda Galaxy, Hercules Open Star Cluster, and so many more are easily within your reach.
The entire telescope kit weighs just 11.4 pounds, so it’s perfectly portable and easy to bring on your next camping trip or to a remote observing site.
When you unbox your new StarSense Explorer LT, you’ll find:
Optical Tube Info | |
|---|---|
| Optical Design | Newtonian Reflector |
| Aperture | 127mm (5") |
| Focal Length | 1000mm (39.3") |
| Focal Ratio | f/7.87 |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 1 | 25mm (0.98") |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 1 | 40x |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 2 | 10mm (0.39") |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 2 | 100x |
| Barlow Lens | 2x (1.25") |
| Finderscope | StarPointer™ red dot finderscope |
| Optical Tube | Steel |
| Highest Useful Magnification | 300x |
| Lowest Useful Magnification | 18x |
| Limiting Stellar Magnitude | 13 |
| Resolution (Rayleigh) | 1.1 arc seconds |
| Resolution (Dawes) | .91 arc seconds |
| Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye) | 329x |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction | 41mm (1.6") |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter | 32% |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area | 10% |
| Optical Coatings | Glass mirrors coated with aluminum and SiO2 |
| Optical Tube Length | 457.2mm (18") |
| Optical Tube Diameter | 165.1mm (6.5") |
| Optical Tube Weight | 7.6 lbs (3.44 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 | Celestron Starry Night Basic Edition Software |
| Total Kit Weight | 11.4 lbs (5.17 kg) |
| Included Items | Telescope tube | Mount/tripod (preassembled) | 25mm & 10mm eyepieces | 2x Barlow lens | StarPointer finderscope | Accessory tray | StarSense Explorer phone dock |
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What to do in case of a broken lamp
Energy-saving lamps contain a very small amount of mercury. However, under normal use they are completely safe. No mercury can escape during or after operation. The only situation where mercury may be released is if the lamp breaks. In this case, small amounts of mercury vapor may slowly evaporate into the air at room temperature. The concentration is very low and well below legal safety limits in Germany. Broken energy-saving lamps must be disposed of properly, just like intact or non-functioning ones. Please follow these instructions:
What you should do:
What you should know:
Inhalation of mercury vapor is the most common way mercury enters the body. However, you have enough time to clean calmly, as mercury evaporates very slowly at room temperature. Broken glass fragments may still contain mercury, which can evaporate over time indoors. The measures above effectively prevent this. If fragments are carefully collected, sealed in a plastic bag, and stored outside the living area until disposal, no mercury exposure will occur indoors.
How to avoid lamp breakage:
Whether incandescent, halogen, or energy-saving lamps – breakage can never be completely ruled out, especially during replacement.
Tips to avoid accidents:
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