---
product_id: 444966884
title: "StarSense Explorer 8-inch Smartphone App Enabled Dobsonian Telescope"
brand: "celestron"
price: "€ 2887.15"
currency: EUR
in_stock: null
reviews_count: 5
url: https://www.desertcart.gr/products/444966884-starsense-explorer-8-inch-smartphone-app-enabled-dobsonian-telescope
store_origin: GR
region: Greece
---

# Smartphone-powered sky tour 8-inch 203mm Newtonian reflector Patented StarSense sky recognition StarSense Explorer 8-inch Smartphone App Enabled Dobsonian Telescope

**Brand:** celestron
**Price:** € 2887.15
**Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock

## Summary

> 🌌 Unlock the Universe with Just Your Phone & an 8-Inch Powerhouse!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** StarSense Explorer 8-inch Smartphone App Enabled Dobsonian Telescope by celestron
- **How much does it cost?** € 2887.15 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Currently out of stock
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.gr](https://www.desertcart.gr/products/444966884-starsense-explorer-8-inch-smartphone-app-enabled-dobsonian-telescope)

## Best For

- celestron enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted celestron brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Vivid, Crisp Views:** 203mm aperture with XLT coatings delivers stunning clarity of planets, nebulae, and galaxies.
- • **Stable & Smooth Tracking:** Rock-solid Dobsonian base with smooth altitude-azimuth movement for easy manual tracking.
- • **Curated Nightly Sky Tours:** App generates personalized lists of the best celestial targets based on your location and time.
- • **Real-Time Sky Recognition:** Patented StarSense tech analyzes star patterns to pinpoint your exact telescope position instantly.
- • **Effortless Celestial Navigation:** Dock your phone, launch the app, and follow intuitive on-screen arrows—no astronomy degree required.

## Overview

The Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian telescope combines a powerful 203mm Newtonian reflector with patented smartphone-powered StarSense technology, enabling beginners to effortlessly locate and explore stars, planets, and deep-sky objects. Featuring an ultra-stable manual altazimuth base, high-reflectivity XLT coatings, and a user-friendly app that generates personalized sky tours, this telescope delivers vivid views and smooth tracking without complex setup. Compatible with iPhone and Android devices, it includes a 2-year warranty and expert US-based support, making it the ultimate gateway for millennial stargazers craving both tech-savvy convenience and breathtaking celestial experiences.

## Description

Celestron’s StarSense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian is the first telescope that uses your smartphone to analyze the night sky and calculate its position in real time, making stargazing easier than ever. Perfect for beginners, this app-enabled telescope lets you dock your phone, launch the app, and follow on-screen arrows to planets, stars, galaxies, and more. Unlike other astronomy apps that rely solely on gyroscopes, StarSense uses patented sky recognition technology and a Lost in Space Algorithm (LISA)—like the sophisticated location systems used by satellites—to deliver accurate, real-time guidance. Simply align your phone with the telescope optics, and within minutes, you’ll be exploring with confidence. The app automatically generates a list of the best objects to view based on your exact time and location. Choose one and navigate there by following the on-screen arrows. When the bullseye turns green, your target is ready in the eyepiece. The high-quality 8-inch Newtonian reflector with highly-reflective XLT coatings provides bright, detailed views of the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and deep-sky favorites like the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy. The StarSense Explorer Dobsonian base is engineered for rock-solid stability and smooth altitude and azimuth movement, making it easy to track celestial objects manually. Its wide stance, low center of gravity, and durable construction provide a steady platform for extended observing, even at high magnifications. Includes one eyepiece (25mm), 2” Crayford focuser, collimation cap, a red dot finderscope, and a StarSense smartphone dock. 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.

Review: Excellent Scope! - This is a FANTASTIC DOB telescope! I recommend this wholeheartedly and without reservation. This is a great DOB telescope. I would like to tell you about it here. First things first - the StarSense application is tremendously fun and educational for exploring the sky (as is SkySafari - consider this app if you have a non-StarSense scope). I bought one the smaller StarSense reflector scopes to test the app. After using it, I was sold on the platform and looked forward to getting the DOB. The StarSense app is amazing. It will not only point out MANY celestial objects, but it will provide written facts and oral descriptions on the more commonly observed objects. It is highly educational and entertaining. It also provides an interactive map of the sky as you gaze. Think of it this way - you have a mini planetarium on your scope. How great is that? It helps you aim the scope while also providing information about the object you are viewing and the surrounding objects. You can pick from a star map or enter the celestial object you want to view in a search bar. The app has an option to go red to preserve the acclimated eye. It was easy to align and work. The StarSense app is an utterly fantastic way to enhance the stargazing experience!! (Note: I had one phone work PERFECTLY with the app, and another phone did not work on the first night out. Later, I turned location services on and that fixed my problem - both phones worked well. Celestron keeps a list of StarSense confirmed compatible devices on their website if you want more info. It looks like the StarSense app is widely compatible. Frankly, I would buy a phone just to use this app). The DOB is sturdy. It is super solid and I am sure it will last for years to come. I had no problems with assembly. If you go for the 12 inch (you Viking!), be sure to wear gloves or otherwise be very carefully when installing the primary mirror (from what I have read, the 8 and 10 inch come with the primary installed). But overall, it comes together easily. And, if you do go for this - a laser collimator is super handy. And this thing was a breeze to collimate. Images were crisp and clear! The base is surprisingly smooth. I was concerned, given the weight of the 12, that it would be difficult to control and move. That was an unfounded concern. It moves smoothly, and with the nicely placed front handle, you can keep objects centered easily. Slewing is a pleasure on this DOB. The scope is well balanced. But keep in mind, as you swap eyepieces and change accessories (starfinders, lasers, et al) the balance can change and become front heavy. This is no problem. There is a very well done tensioning knob that will keep you level and still. You can also purchase dobsonian weight magnets if you prefer to manually balance the scope. I do not think that is necessary right now - the tension system gets a chef's kiss from me. Image quality is fantastic if you have the right eyepieces (or filters if you are in to that). Physics dictates this result, given the light gathering power of the primary. It is amazing to use a 12 inch aperture. To me, it is worth lugging the weight around. If you are unsure you can handle the bulk of the 12, there is nothing wrong with an 8 or 10! The app is still outstanding and there are plenty dark sky objects to see with the 8 and the 10. You cannot go wrong with any size, in my opinion. I would invite you to treat yourself to some 2 inch eyepieces. These DOBS all accommodate 2 inch eyepieces, and I would recommend the extra money for a nice set. In sum, I highly recommend this DOB if you are in the market for such a telescope. And by using the phrase "in the market", I trust you are familiar with the size and weight of these scopes. But the size and weight are worth the price of admission. And please know, once they are set up they slew with ease. I could move the scope with a pinky and the scope rests firm when left to stand. These DOBs It is by far the best telescope I have ever owned. I would recommend some accessories to enhance your stargazing. I recommend some 2 inch eyepieces (40-23mm), a DOB fan (which Celestron sells for cheap and easily inserts) which will help with great temperature differentials, a laser collimator, a mount to raise the red dot finder up off the scope for ease of use (so you do not have to crane your neck to use it), and a 90 degree starfinder (handy extra - one person can look through the DOB, and another can view the larger sky simultaneously). Just as a sprinter needs quality shoes, your DOB can use some quality accessories, but that is not to suggest this thing is incomplete or lacking in quality. This is a tremendous scope worth every penny. Happy stargazing!
Review: Killer Scope. Finds Everything, Even With Bad Eyesight. - Most astronomers will recommend you start with a 6" or 8" dobsonian. I've had refractors before, but this is my first reflector. I cannot stress enough how enjoyable this scope is to use and view the heavens with. It comes with a decent Omni Plossl in 25mm focal length. I recommend purchasing two additional eyepieces, an 8-12mm, and a 36-40mm. I have a 12mm, a 40mm, and 2x barlow in Omni Plossl fashion to match the 25mm. There are a wide variety of magnifications with these 3 eyepieces and the barlow, for not a lot of money. From 30x, to 200x, I can view a wide range of objects including planets, moon, sun (with a proper filter) and several deep space objects with an apparent magnitude of 10 or lower, quite clearly. Objects higher than 10 will be difficult if you live with city light pollution, but that still leaves thousands of viewable objects. It's not too heavy when carried in two pieces (roughly 25lbs/11kg for the tube, and the mount, each). The starsense app works very well, and on clear dark nights, it is very accurate. With a full moon or cloudy skies, it can be a bit tricky. I highly recommend this scope to anyone that wants a well built telescope, with a helping hand finding objects. It includes a red dot finder if you want to find objects the old fashioned way as well. But for someone like me with astigmatism and poor night vision, the starsense is extremely handy and convenient. Seeing the 8" mirror in the bottom of the tube is a sight to see, I'll include pictures of the scope, as well as several photos I have taken of the moon and some planets. Yes, you can actually do minor planetary and lunar imaging with this scope, even with your phone! In fact, every photo I've included in this review was taken with my Samsung S23, the Nexyz phone mount, and the various eyepieces I mentioned earlier. Take a few videos of the object, turn the videos into an .ser file with PIPP (free software) and stack the frames in Autostakkert (also free) to reveal a stacked image ready for sharpening and color enhancement. I hope this review will help people decide if this scope was right for them, because it was certainly right for me!

## Features

- SMARTPHONE-POWERED SKY TOUR: No experience needed! Just dock your phone, launch the StarSense Explorer app, and follow the on-screen arrows to locate stars, planets, nebulae, and more.
- PATENTED STARSENSE TECHNOLOGY: Unlike other astronomy apps, StarSense Explorer uses sky recognition technology to turn your phone into a celestial navigation system, analyzing star patterns overhead to pinpoint your telescope’s position.
- TONIGHT’S BEST TARGETS, INSTANTLY: The app generates a curated list of the top objects to see based on your time and location. See planets, bright nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters from the city—and even more from dark skies.
- SIMPLE SETUP, SMOOTH TRACKING: Features an ultra-stable manual altazimuth Dobsonian base. Follow the on-screen arrows to your target; when the bullseye turns green, you can view it clearly through the eyepiece.
- 8-INCH REFLECTOR WITH IMPRESSIVE VIEWS: The 203mm Newtonian reflector with high-reflectivity XLT coatings delivers sharp, vivid views of the Moon, planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and deep-sky favorites like the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy.
- UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading telescope brand in California since 1960. Your purchase includes a 2-Year US Warranty and unlimited support from our team of US-based experts.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B09TWWZ5DR |
| Additional Features | Smartphone-powered sky tour, patented StarSense technology, easy setup with smooth tracking |
| Best Sellers Rank | #990 in Camera & Photo Products ( See Top 100 in Camera & Photo Products ) #106 in Telescopes (Camera & Photo Products) |
| Brand | Celestron |
| Built-In Media | 2" Crayford focuser, 25mm eyepiece, Celestron Starry Night Basic Edition Software, Collimation cap, Dobsonian Base, Eyepiece rack, Optical tube, StarPointer™ red-dot finderscope, StarSense Explorer dock, StarSense Explorer unlock code |
| Coating | XLT reflective coatings with silicon dioxide and tantalum pentoxide |
| Compatible Devices | Smartphone |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (165) |
| Exit Pupil Diameter | 8.13 Millimeters |
| Eye Piece Lens Description | 25mm eyepiece |
| Field Of View | 248 Degrees |
| Finderscope | StarPointer™ red dot finderscope |
| Focal Length Description | 1200 millimeters |
| Focus Type | Manual Focus |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 49"D x 18.5"W x 19"H |
| Item Weight | 43.4 Pounds |
| Manufacturer | Celestron |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 22470 |
| Model Name | StarSense Explorer 8" Dobsonian |
| Model Number | 22470 |
| Mount | Altazimuth Dobsonian base |
| Number of Batteries | 1 Lithium Metal batteries required. (included) |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 203 Millimeters |
| Power Source | Manual Operation Without External Power Source |
| UPC | 050234224703 |
| Warranty Description | 2-Year Warranty |
| Zoom Ratio | 50 |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Celestron
- **Eye Piece Lens Description:** 25mm eyepiece
- **Finderscope:** StarPointer™ red dot finderscope
- **Focus Type:** Manual Focus
- **Item Weight:** 43.4 Pounds
- **Model Name:** StarSense Explorer 8" Dobsonian
- **Objective Lens Diameter:** 203 Millimeters
- **Power Source:** Manual Operation Without External Power Source
- **Product Dimensions:** 49"D x 18.5"W x 19"H
- **Telescope Mount Description:** Altazimuth Dobsonian base

## Images

![StarSense Explorer 8-inch Smartphone App Enabled Dobsonian Telescope - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61BR7tZV+lL.jpg)
![StarSense Explorer 8-inch Smartphone App Enabled Dobsonian Telescope - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51OftL0qY9L.jpg)
![StarSense Explorer 8-inch Smartphone App Enabled Dobsonian Telescope - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/618hghChSiL.jpg)
![StarSense Explorer 8-inch Smartphone App Enabled Dobsonian Telescope - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/618NJ7lIiSL.jpg)
![StarSense Explorer 8-inch Smartphone App Enabled Dobsonian Telescope - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61poNNSaPZL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Style** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: Is there a compatible tripod ?**
A: The telescope comes with its own rotating base. No tripod needed.

**Q: What solar filter is compatible with the 8in model?**
A: The outside diameter is 9 ¼ inches, so you will want to size your solar filter with that measurement or slightly larger.

**Q: Does this telescope have a lot of stiction? When making fine adjustments does the telescope kinda jerk free making it difficult to manually track?**
A: This uses a Teflon bearing the for the azimuth that works very well if adjusted properly and a friction adjustment for altitude that can be sticky if the poorly balanced. This is common to all the synta made manual dobs (Orion, Skywatcher, Celestron) but it can be remedied by using a magnetic counterweight when using heavy eyepieces or accessories. I have minimal issues when following planets at 200x with a 6x30 finder and explore scientific 82 degree eyepieces with just the tension but the counterweights do allow for less tension and smoother operation. What sets this dob apart is the StarSense which works very well and allows for a rapid run through of targets and also the tube handle which makes transportation much easier

**Q: Does this 8" Dob come with thumbscrews for locking and adjusting the primary mirror?**
A: The Celestron Starsense 8-inch Dobsonian telescope primary mirror is equipped with the standard Newtonian three primary collimation screws and three mirror locking screws. The secondary is also equipped with the standard three Newronian secondary collimation screws.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent Scope!
*by R***D on January 13, 2025*

This is a FANTASTIC DOB telescope! I recommend this wholeheartedly and without reservation. This is a great DOB telescope. I would like to tell you about it here. First things first - the StarSense application is tremendously fun and educational for exploring the sky (as is SkySafari - consider this app if you have a non-StarSense scope). I bought one the smaller StarSense reflector scopes to test the app. After using it, I was sold on the platform and looked forward to getting the DOB. The StarSense app is amazing. It will not only point out MANY celestial objects, but it will provide written facts and oral descriptions on the more commonly observed objects. It is highly educational and entertaining. It also provides an interactive map of the sky as you gaze. Think of it this way - you have a mini planetarium on your scope. How great is that? It helps you aim the scope while also providing information about the object you are viewing and the surrounding objects. You can pick from a star map or enter the celestial object you want to view in a search bar. The app has an option to go red to preserve the acclimated eye. It was easy to align and work. The StarSense app is an utterly fantastic way to enhance the stargazing experience!! (Note: I had one phone work PERFECTLY with the app, and another phone did not work on the first night out. Later, I turned location services on and that fixed my problem - both phones worked well. Celestron keeps a list of StarSense confirmed compatible devices on their website if you want more info. It looks like the StarSense app is widely compatible. Frankly, I would buy a phone just to use this app). The DOB is sturdy. It is super solid and I am sure it will last for years to come. I had no problems with assembly. If you go for the 12 inch (you Viking!), be sure to wear gloves or otherwise be very carefully when installing the primary mirror (from what I have read, the 8 and 10 inch come with the primary installed). But overall, it comes together easily. And, if you do go for this - a laser collimator is super handy. And this thing was a breeze to collimate. Images were crisp and clear! The base is surprisingly smooth. I was concerned, given the weight of the 12, that it would be difficult to control and move. That was an unfounded concern. It moves smoothly, and with the nicely placed front handle, you can keep objects centered easily. Slewing is a pleasure on this DOB. The scope is well balanced. But keep in mind, as you swap eyepieces and change accessories (starfinders, lasers, et al) the balance can change and become front heavy. This is no problem. There is a very well done tensioning knob that will keep you level and still. You can also purchase dobsonian weight magnets if you prefer to manually balance the scope. I do not think that is necessary right now - the tension system gets a chef's kiss from me. Image quality is fantastic if you have the right eyepieces (or filters if you are in to that). Physics dictates this result, given the light gathering power of the primary. It is amazing to use a 12 inch aperture. To me, it is worth lugging the weight around. If you are unsure you can handle the bulk of the 12, there is nothing wrong with an 8 or 10! The app is still outstanding and there are plenty dark sky objects to see with the 8 and the 10. You cannot go wrong with any size, in my opinion. I would invite you to treat yourself to some 2 inch eyepieces. These DOBS all accommodate 2 inch eyepieces, and I would recommend the extra money for a nice set. In sum, I highly recommend this DOB if you are in the market for such a telescope. And by using the phrase "in the market", I trust you are familiar with the size and weight of these scopes. But the size and weight are worth the price of admission. And please know, once they are set up they slew with ease. I could move the scope with a pinky and the scope rests firm when left to stand. These DOBs It is by far the best telescope I have ever owned. I would recommend some accessories to enhance your stargazing. I recommend some 2 inch eyepieces (40-23mm), a DOB fan (which Celestron sells for cheap and easily inserts) which will help with great temperature differentials, a laser collimator, a mount to raise the red dot finder up off the scope for ease of use (so you do not have to crane your neck to use it), and a 90 degree starfinder (handy extra - one person can look through the DOB, and another can view the larger sky simultaneously). Just as a sprinter needs quality shoes, your DOB can use some quality accessories, but that is not to suggest this thing is incomplete or lacking in quality. This is a tremendous scope worth every penny. Happy stargazing!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Killer Scope. Finds Everything, Even With Bad Eyesight.
*by S***. on June 15, 2023*

Most astronomers will recommend you start with a 6" or 8" dobsonian. I've had refractors before, but this is my first reflector. I cannot stress enough how enjoyable this scope is to use and view the heavens with. It comes with a decent Omni Plossl in 25mm focal length. I recommend purchasing two additional eyepieces, an 8-12mm, and a 36-40mm. I have a 12mm, a 40mm, and 2x barlow in Omni Plossl fashion to match the 25mm. There are a wide variety of magnifications with these 3 eyepieces and the barlow, for not a lot of money. From 30x, to 200x, I can view a wide range of objects including planets, moon, sun (with a proper filter) and several deep space objects with an apparent magnitude of 10 or lower, quite clearly. Objects higher than 10 will be difficult if you live with city light pollution, but that still leaves thousands of viewable objects. It's not too heavy when carried in two pieces (roughly 25lbs/11kg for the tube, and the mount, each). The starsense app works very well, and on clear dark nights, it is very accurate. With a full moon or cloudy skies, it can be a bit tricky. I highly recommend this scope to anyone that wants a well built telescope, with a helping hand finding objects. It includes a red dot finder if you want to find objects the old fashioned way as well. But for someone like me with astigmatism and poor night vision, the starsense is extremely handy and convenient. Seeing the 8" mirror in the bottom of the tube is a sight to see, I'll include pictures of the scope, as well as several photos I have taken of the moon and some planets. Yes, you can actually do minor planetary and lunar imaging with this scope, even with your phone! In fact, every photo I've included in this review was taken with my Samsung S23, the Nexyz phone mount, and the various eyepieces I mentioned earlier. Take a few videos of the object, turn the videos into an .ser file with PIPP (free software) and stack the frames in Autostakkert (also free) to reveal a stacked image ready for sharpening and color enhancement. I hope this review will help people decide if this scope was right for them, because it was certainly right for me!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good scope for the price
*by T***S on April 13, 2023*

I bought this last October and have used it multiple times looking at the moon, a few planets, and I even saw a nebula. I'm a bit of a klutz and I know very little about the stars but I'm learning with this scope. The moon is very bright in the scope because of its high magnification so for viewing the moon you do need a good moon filter. At higher powers it is difficult to keep an object within view but it just takes practice with making very minor adjustments. Aligning the spotting scope with the main scope is quite easy. Collimation of the mirror is also easy with the provided instructions. I've experimented with the StarSense app and my first phone was a cheap one and I was not able to get it to figure out where it is to start using it. I got a new phone and I've been able to align it and I've started using it but have not had a lot of opportunities to do so because of poor weather. I would recommend getting additional eyepieces and filters to go with the scope as they can enhance your ability to view various objects. A strong moon filter is critical to view the moon without blinding yourself with moonlight. I just bought an adjustable moon filter because you can adjust it to filter out quite a bit of light. Now I want a solar filter. I gave the scope 5 stars for portability even though it is a really big and fairly heavy but I knew that when buying it and expected the size and bulk.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch App-Enabled Telescope – 203mm Dobsonian with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners
- Celestron 94303 1.25 inch Eyepiece & Filter Kit - Includes 14 Pieces in Metal Foam-Lined Carry Case, Silver
- Celestron – NexYZ – 3–Axis Universal Smartphone Adapter for Telescope – Digiscoping Smartphone Adapter – Capture Images and Video Through Your Telescope or Spotting Scope

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*Product available on Desertcart Greece*
*Store origin: GR*
*Last updated: 2026-04-22*