1/28/2024 0 Comments Starry night pro demoThis model has an 8-inch mirror, providing a native focal length of 1200mm at F/5.9. The eyepiece rack is a nice touch (I actually use these a lot), and the tension knobs secure nicely when the tube sits in the rocker box. The telescope itself is nothing too special, a well-made Newtonian reflector telescope with a sturdy Dobsonian base. The big handles on the optical tube, and the rocker box base make this process much easier. The telescope and base are about 50 pounds as a whole, so for most people, it is best to transport the scope in two pieces. This is probably the best fit for most people, as it’s more manageable than the heavy 10-inch version.įor comparison, an 8-inch mirror provides 78% more light than a 6-inch model, which means being able to find more deep-sky objects in the sky like galaxies and nebulae.Ĭomparing the most popular size of Dobsonian Telescopes. It is a very hands-on ‘point-and-view’ experience that helps you connect with the night sky in a tactile way.Īn 8-inch model is widely considered to be the ‘sweet spot’, balancing optical performance with a practical size. The heavy Dobsonian base (rocker box), allows you to smoothly pan across the sky without vibration. They do not require polar alignment, counterweights, or any electronics (other than your phone). The simple design of a Dobsonian makes them easy to use, and affordable considering their light-gathering power. An aperture of this size is capable of providing impressive views at the eyepiece. Unlike the humble Dob I started my astronomy journey on, this one has a large 8-inch mirror. I started with a 4.5″ aperture Dobsonian myself back in 2010 (Orion SkyQuest 4.5″ Dob), and the rest is history. It’s all about the visual experience and seeing new deep-sky objects for the first time.Īs I have discussed at length in the past, an 8-inch Dobsonian telescope is arguably the best possible first telescope for a beginner. Unlike a lot of the astrophotography telescopes I typically talk about on this website, where I sit at a computer screen – a visual Dobsonian telescope like this is meant to be enjoyed outside at the eyepiece. I had a chance to test the StarSense Explorer Dob over the course of about 3 weeks, and thankfully the weather cooperated. The supportive folks over at Celestron sent me a demo version of their 8-inch model for review. In the following video shared on my YouTube channel, I cover the main features of the telescope and share my experiences using it in the backyard. Keep in mind that this model is quite heavy. The version I will be reviewing is the 8″ model, but the telescope also comes in a huge 10-inch diameter size for those looking for even deeper views. In this post, I’ll show you how to use the Celestron StarSense Explorer Dob, and explain why I think this is a great telescope for beginners that could use some help finding objects in the night sky. By combining the proven StarSense technology with a large-aperture Dob, visual astronomers can have the best of both worlds. The smaller tripod-mounted models are an affordable option, but I consider an 8-inch Dobsonian telescope to be the best telescope for beginners. The StarSense Explorer technology found in the dedicated mobile app contains a wealth of fascinating astronomical observing information.Ĭelestron has several telescopes that include the StarSense Explorer system (such as the popular Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ), but the Dobsonian telescopes are their largest optical instruments with the integrated technology yet. With 8 inches of aperture, this telescope has enough power to see, not only the moon and planets but also deep-sky objects like distant galaxies and nebulae. It’s a visual telescope (not designed for astrophotography), but photos of bright objects like the Moon and planets are possible through the eyepiece. The Celestron StarSense Explorer Dob is a clever upgrade to a traditional 8″ Dobsonian telescope, thanks to its integrated smartphone app that helps you find objects in the night sky.
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