If you had a telescope as a child, you probably gave up on it because it was too difficult to find anything, except for the moon. That process will be much easier now, because Celestron has found a way to let your mobile phone do the searching for you.
At this year’s CES, Celestron announced a new telescope that uses a mobile phone app to help you point your telescope at celestial objects. The company refers to its new StarSense Explorer telescope as smartphone-driven and auto-locating.
It is smartphone-driven, but calling it “auto-locating” is somewhat misleading. Your phone wouldn’t be moving the telescope into the right position, you’ll be moving it — but with the clever aid of your mobile phone.
You mount your phone into a dock attached to the telescope. Then you use the StarSense Explorer phone app to guide you, using onscreen arrows to help you align the telescope with the celestial object. The app relies entirely on the phone’s internal sensors, so it doesn’t require a Wi-Fi or cellular signal. That could be very handy if you’re in a remote area.
Because the StarSense Explorer doesn’t use motors to position the telescope, the entry price for the system is relatively low. It’s inexpensive enough for kids to get a taste for a new hobby, even if they have borrow Mom or Dad’s phone occasionally.
The StarSense Explorer is available now and offered in four variations, including the StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ, a 130mm reflector-type telescope ($399.95). Refractor-type versions are also available.