Celestron StarSense Explorer 12" Dobsonian Telescope
The Celestron StarSense Explorer 12" Dobsonian takes the unmatched simplicity and power of a classic Dobsonian reflector and fuses it with revolutionary smartphone-guided technology. The result is a telescope that opens the universe to new observers while still delivering the raw, unfiltered performance experienced skywatchers demand. With a full 12 inches of aperture and intuitive star-finding assistance, this scope is built for visual astronomers who want serious light grasp and fast access to celestial treasures.
Giant Aperture. Giant Views.
With a 305mm (12") parabolic primary mirror and a focal length of 1500mm (f/4.9), this Dobsonian pulls in more than 1,800 times the light of the unaided human eye and more than twice the light of an 8" reflector. This dramatic leap in aperture makes a profound difference when you’re seeking faint galaxies, ghostly nebulae, or detailed views of bright objects under light-polluted skies.
Planetary detail becomes razor-sharp, with Jupiter revealing festoons, color bands, and its four Galilean moons casting shadows during transits. Saturn’s Cassini Division is stark and well-defined. Mars shows polar caps and subtle surface shading when the atmosphere cooperates. The Moon becomes a rugged landscape of craters, rilles, and mountain ranges.
Deep-sky observing is where this scope really stretches its legs. Globular clusters like M13 and M92 resolve into sparkling cities of stars. Emission nebulae such as the Lagoon, Trifid, and Orion show billowing structure and contrast, even without filters. Under dark skies, the 12" aperture opens up a world of lesser-known targets, from edge-on galaxies to planetary nebulae like the Blue Snowball or the Ghost of Jupiter.
StarSense Explorer App – Star Hopping, Reinvented
What truly separates this telescope from other large Dobsonians is the integrated StarSense Explorer technology. Celestron’s app-based guidance system utilizes your smartphone’s camera and a built-in mirror to capture a live image of the night sky. Then, using advanced plate-solving algorithms, it determines your exact position in real time—no GPS, Wi-Fi, or cell service required.
After a quick alignment process, you can choose from a curated list of the night’s best targets. Simply follow the arrows on your screen to manually point the telescope. When you’re on target, the bullseye turns green—and you’re ready to observe.
Unlike traditional GoTo systems, there are no motors, batteries, or hand controllers. You get all the benefits of computerized object location while maintaining the tactile joy and simplicity of manual Dobsonian observing. Whether you're a beginner learning your way around the sky or an experienced observer looking to streamline your sessions, StarSense Explorer makes it incredibly easy to find hundreds of objects—fast.
Rock-Solid Dobsonian Mount
Celestron has equipped this telescope with a classic alt-azimuth Dobsonian base, designed to handle the weight and length of the full 12" optical tube. Constructed from sturdy engineered wood, the mount offers excellent stability and smooth tracking. It features Teflon bearings for frictionless movement in azimuth and altitude, and adjustable tension knobs to help you dial in just the right resistance for your observing style.
Despite its size, the telescope remains surprisingly intuitive to operate. Once balanced properly, it moves effortlessly as you nudge it across the sky. There’s no vibration, no backlash—just steady, responsive motion whether you’re sweeping along the Milky Way or tracking planets at high magnification.
Precision 2" Crayford Focuser
To make the most of the telescope’s light-gathering power, Celestron includes a 2" Crayford-style focuser with a 1.25" adapter. This dual-size setup accommodates a wide range of eyepieces, giving you flexibility for wide-field views or planetary detail. The Crayford design delivers smooth, backlash-free focusing and is capable of holding heavy accessories without slippage—perfect for modern, wide-field 2" eyepieces.
Designed for Performance
Unlike many mass-produced Dobsonians, the StarSense Explorer 12" stands out for its attention to optical and mechanical detail. The primary mirror is housed in a precision-aligned mirror cell and comes with factory-installed collimation knobs for easy adjustment. The included collimation cap makes it simple to maintain peak optical performance. Every optical surface is fully coated for maximum light transmission and contrast.
The telescope includes a red dot finder for rough alignment (though you'll rarely use it thanks to the StarSense app), an eyepiece rack, and a 25mm Plössl eyepiece offering 60x magnification right out of the box. Additional eyepieces or filters can be added later to round out your observing experience.
What's Included
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12" (305mm) f/4.9 parabolic primary mirror
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Dobsonian base with Teflon bearings and adjustable tension controls
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StarSense smartphone dock with alignment mirror
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25mm Plössl eyepiece (60x magnification)
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2" Crayford-style focuser with 1.25" adapter
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StarPointer red dot finder
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Collimation cap
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Eyepiece tray
Ideal For:
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Visual observers who want a large aperture without the complexity of a GoTo mount
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Beginners looking for a big step up in performance with minimal setup
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Urban and suburban stargazers who need help finding objects in light-polluted skies
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Anyone who wants fast access to hundreds of celestial objects without giving up manual control
Final Thoughts
The Celestron StarSense Explorer 12" Dobsonian is a telescope that truly bridges the gap between power and simplicity. It gives you the raw optical horsepower of a full 12-inch reflector and combines it with Celestron’s intuitive, no-fuss object-locating app. There’s no need to memorize star charts or spend frustrating hours learning how to use computerized mounts. Just dock your phone, align the telescope, and go.
If you’re ready to take the leap into large-aperture observing with modern guidance and old-school Dobsonian ease, the StarSense Explorer 12” is ready to meet you under the stars.
Smartphone Compatibility
Celestron 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.
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 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.
Enhance Your Setup
Keep your phone charged all night while exploring with your StarSense Explorer by adding the PowerTank Glow 5000 to your must-have accessories (sold separately). This 2-in-1 accessory was made with the StarSense Explorer Dobs in mind, it has a red flashlight PLUS a USB power bank for charging mobile devices in the field. Connect the PowerTank Glow 5000 to the two posts at the front of the StarSense Explorer dock with the included bands so it is held in a convenient location for charging your smartphone while in use.
To achieve the sharpest views faster, we recommend pairing the StarSense Explorer 12” Dobsonian with the USB Cooling Fan for Dobsonian Telescopes (sold separately). The fan cools the primary mirror to the ambient outdoor temperature faster, leaving you more time to observe. It mounts directly onto the rear cell of the Dobsonian and works with any USB power source.
