{"product_id":"celestron-starsense-explorer-8-dobsonian","title":"Celestron StarSense Explorer 8\" Dobsonian Telescope","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCelestron StarSense Explorer 8\" Smartphone App-Enabled Dobsonian Telescope\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBig views. Smart tech. Perfect for your night sky journey.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eCelestron StarSense Explorer 8” Dobsonian Telescope\u003c\/strong\u003e merges classic deep-sky capability with modern smartphone-guided navigation. With its large aperture and award-winning StarSense technology, this Dob is ideal for ambitious beginners and intermediate astronomers who want powerful performance without complexity. Whether you’re stargazing from your garden or taking it to darker skies, this telescope makes the universe easy to find—and unforgettable to observe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🌌 \u003cstrong\u003eHighlights at a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e203mm (8\") parabolic primary mirror\u003c\/strong\u003e with XLT coatings – delivers crisp, bright views of galaxies, nebulae, planets, and star clusters\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStarSense Explorer smartphone dock\u003c\/strong\u003e – patented plate-solving tech guides you to visible celestial targets using real-time star pattern analysis\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSturdy Dobsonian base\u003c\/strong\u003e – smooth, manual control with large bearings, altitude tensioning, and ergonomic panning knob\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2\" Crayford focuser\u003c\/strong\u003e – precision focusing with included adapter and extension for 1.25\" and 2\" eyepieces\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApp-powered exploration\u003c\/strong\u003e – navigate the night sky confidently with guided arrows and object info via the \u003cstrong\u003eStarSense Explorer app powered by SkySafari™\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🚀 \u003cstrong\u003eExplore in Minutes\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDock your smartphone\u003c\/strong\u003e in the StarSense mount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLaunch the app\u003c\/strong\u003e and align your phone to the telescope optics (just a 2-minute setup)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFollow on-screen arrows\u003c\/strong\u003e to your chosen object\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the \u003cstrong\u003ebullseye turns green\u003c\/strong\u003e, it’s in view through the eyepiece\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike gyro-based apps, StarSense uses \u003cstrong\u003esatellite-style image recognition (LISA algorithm)\u003c\/strong\u003e to identify star patterns overhead with exceptional accuracy—even in light-polluted skies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🔭 \u003cstrong\u003eOptical Performance\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAperture:\u003c\/strong\u003e 203mm (8\")\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFocal Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1200mm (f\/5.9)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEyepiece Included:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25mm Plössl (48x magnification)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax Magnification:\u003c\/strong\u003e 480x\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight Gathering Power:\u003c\/strong\u003e 841x that of the unaided eye\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResolution (Dawes):\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.57 arcseconds\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoatings:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eXLT reflective coatings\u003c\/strong\u003e on both mirrors for enhanced contrast and brightness\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMirror Material:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pyrex-equivalent low-expansion glass\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrayford Focuser:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2” with extension tube and 1.25” adapter, featuring locking thumbscrew\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect vivid detail on:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLunar craters and maria\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJupiter’s moons and Great Red Spot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaturn’s rings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeep-sky wonders\u003c\/strong\u003e like the Orion Nebula, Lagoon Nebula, Andromeda Galaxy, Pleiades, and more\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e⚙️ \u003cstrong\u003eStable, User-Friendly Mount\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMount Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Altazimuth Dobsonian\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBase Construction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Particle board with melamine finish, reinforced side panels\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmooth motion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Teflon azimuth pads + large altitude bearings with adjustable tension\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eErgonomic panning knob\u003c\/strong\u003e – keeps your hands off the optical tube to minimise heat disturbance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntegrated carry handles and dust caps\u003c\/strong\u003e for convenient transport and storage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal Kit Weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 43.4 lbs (19.68 kg)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e📱 \u003cstrong\u003eSmartphone Compatibility\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompatible with \u003cstrong\u003eiPhone 6 and newer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorks with most Android devices (2016 or later running Android 7.1.2+)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApp functionality powered by \u003cstrong\u003eStarSense Explorer App\u003c\/strong\u003e, which includes a visible sky list, live guidance, object database, and audio descriptions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🔌 \u003cstrong\u003eExpand Your Setup\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePowerTank Glow 5000\u003c\/strong\u003e (sold separately): Mounts to the dock and powers your phone with integrated red flashlight\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollimation Cap\u003c\/strong\u003e included for optical alignment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEyepiece rack\u003c\/strong\u003e keeps accessories organised during viewing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🛠 \u003cstrong\u003eWhat’s in the Box\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e8\" Newtonian reflector optical tube\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDobsonian mount (with tools)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e25mm Plössl eyepiece (1.25”)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2” Crayford focuser with 1.25” adapter and 2” extension tube\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarPointer™ red-dot finderscope\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarSense smartphone dock + unlock code\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEyepiece rack\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCollimation cap\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarry Night Basic Edition astronomy software (download)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e⚠️ \u003cstrong\u003eSolar Safety Notice\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNever view the Sun through this telescope or any optical instrument without a proper solar filter. Permanent eye damage may result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🎯 \u003cstrong\u003eWho’s It For?\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeginners who want powerful optics and simple navigation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStargazers who want more reach than smaller reflectors or refractors\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eObservers ready to hunt down faint deep-sky targets in dark skies\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVisual astronomers looking for a balance of performance and portability\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Celestron StarSense Explorer 8\" Dobsonian\u003c\/strong\u003e is the smart choice for anyone who wants the raw optical power of a classic Dob, enhanced by the guidance of modern technology. It's your passport to the planets, star clusters, nebulae, and beyond—no experience required.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Celestron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55897330319734,"sku":"050234224703","price":649.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0909\/2235\/3014\/files\/CelestronStarsenseExplorer8_ProductPhoto4.webp?v=1752589104","url":"https:\/\/welshastronomy.co.uk\/products\/celestron-starsense-explorer-8-dobsonian","provider":"The Welsh Astronomy Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}