Celestron StarSense Explorer Dobson 254 mm

The Celestron StarSense Explorer Dobson 254 mm is the perfect balance between luminosity and manageability. Thanks to the StarSense Explorer app turns your smartphone into a digital guide, making it easy to find hundreds of celestial objects. No complicated alignment or motorization - the app guides you step by step.

With a 254 mm mirror, this telescope captures more than enough light to make most deep-sky objects visible, from the Orion Nebula to the Andromeda System. At the same time, it remains compact enough to be easily transported, set up and used in the backyard.

Smart navigation via your smartphone

The StarSense Explorer app uses the same technology used by professional observatories: plate solving. Your smartphone takes a picture of the sky, recognizes star patterns and determines exactly where to point the telescope. Arrows appear on the screen, leading you step by step to the desired object. Once the arrows disappear and a green crosshairs appear, the object is perfectly in focus, ready to observe.

No GPS or WiFi required: the system works completely autonomously. Within minutes you navigate between planets, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. The function “Tonight's Best” also automatically displays the most beautiful objects visible at that time.

Optics with impressive light output

The 254 mm parabolic primary mirror with a focal length of 1200 mm delivers bright, high-contrast images with excellent sharpness. The XLT coating ensures maximum light transmission and reflection, while the low-expansion mirror remains stable under temperature changes.

You can see subtle details on the moon, cloud bands on Jupiter, the Cassini separation in Saturn's rings and the spiral structure of distant galaxies. The thin capture mirror arms minimize diffractions, keeping stars sharp and point-like.

Solid construction and smooth operation

The Dobson base is made of sturdy laminated wood with large bearings for smooth, balanced movement. Thanks to the integrated height brake the telescope remains perfectly balanced, even with heavy eyepieces.

The 2″ Crayford focuser with 1.25″ adapter makes accurate focusing easy and smooth. A locking screw maintains focus, ideal when changing accessories. The telescope also has a handle for safe transportation and a removable eyepiece holder on the side of the base.

Easy to use and powerful - the complete package

The StarSense Explorer Dobson 305 mm is easy to use even without experience. Everything you need is in the box, no tools or additional accessories required. Within minutes, the telescope is ready for action.

The combination of classic Dobson stability, large mirror and modern navigation app makes this telescope a powerful tool for both educational use and serious hobby astronomy.

Observatory software in the palm of your hand

The StarSense Explorer app puts professional technology at your fingertips. The app uses plate solving, the same method used by satellites and observatories - to determine the exact position of the telescope.

After a brief alignment, the app displays the current night sky above your location, complete with information about each visible object. The feature “Tonight's Best” helps you choose from the most beautiful planets, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. Follow the arrows on your screen and enjoy razor-sharp images in the eyepiece.

The app works with most modern smartphones: iPhone 6 or higher, and Android 7.1.2 or newer (with camera, gyro and acceleration sensor).

What we recommend:

• The Moon in detail: craters, shadow structures and mountain ranges
• Jupiter with cloud bands and the four Galilean moons
• Saturn with rings and Cassini line
• Mars with polar caps around opposition
• Deep-sky objects such as the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Nebula and the Pleiades
• Double stars such as Albireo and Castor

Specifications

• Brand & Series
  Celestron StarSense Explorer
• Item number (SKU)
  CEL-22471
• Model number
  22471
• Optical design
  Newton reflector (Dobson)
• Aperture (aperture)
  254 mm
• Focal length
  1200 mm
• Focal ratio
  f/4,7
• Mount type
  Dobson (alt-azimuth, manual)
• Type of operation
  Manually - with smartphone support via StarSense Explorer app
• Optical coating
  XLT reflective coatings with protective layers of silicon dioxide and tantalum pentaoxide
• Limiting star magnitude
  14,4
• Resolution
  Rayleigh: 0.54 arc seconds
  Dawes: 0.45 arc seconds
• Minimum usable magnification
  36x
• Maximum usable magnification
  600x
• Light output relative to human eye
  1318×
• Secondary mirror (minor axis)
  58 mm
• Focuser
  2″ Crayford focuser with 1.25″ adapter
• Optical tube diameter
  305 mm (12″)
• Optical tube length
  1219 mm (48″)
• Optical tube weight
  20.4 kg
• Total weight (telescope + base)
  14.7 kg
• Mounting dimensions (base)
  610 × 610 × 711 mm
• Included accessories
  25 mm eyepiece (1.25″), Red Dot finder, collimation cap, StarSense Explorer smartphone holder
• Compatible app
  Celestron StarSense Explorer (iOS & Android)
• Warranty
  2-year manufacturer's warranty (Celestron)