Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ - Smartphone app-enabled newtonian reflector telescope

The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ is an accessible way to start exploring the night sky with a proper 114mm reflector, without first having to learn star charts or work out where everything is.

StarSense Explorer uses your smartphone to show you objects currently available to observe and then guides you towards your chosen target as you move the telescope by hand. Instead of spending your first nights wondering where to point, you can start working your way through planets, star clusters, double stars and some of the brighter nebulae visible from New Zealand.

The 114mm reflector gives you enough aperture to move well beyond simply looking at the Moon. Saturn's rings are clearly distinguishable from the planet, Jupiter's four bright Galilean moons are easy to follow, and its main cloud belts can become visible when conditions are good. Star clusters are particularly rewarding, while brighter nebulae and some galaxies extend what you can explore as skies become darker.

The telescope itself remains deliberately straightforward. A manual Alt-Azimuth mount lets you move naturally around the sky, with an altitude slow-motion adjustment for finer positioning and following objects. There are no telescope motors or external power requirements to manage.

For someone wanting StarSense-guided astronomy at a more accessible price point, the LT 114AZ offers a practical balance between what you can see, how easily you can find it and how simple the telescope is to use.

Why Choose the StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ?

• Explore more than the obvious targets — planets, star clusters, double stars and brighter nebulae are all within its realistic observing range.
• StarSense helps you find them — choose from objects currently visible and follow the on-screen guidance towards your target.
• No knowledge of the constellations required — you can begin observing without first learning traditional star-hopping.
• 114mm reflector optics — enough aperture for rewarding first-hand views of a varied range of Solar System and brighter deep-sky objects.
• Simple manual operation — move the telescope yourself, with altitude slow-motion adjustment for finer control.
• No telescope power supply required — the mount is entirely manual.
• Relatively light and easy to move — straightforward to take outside when you want to observe.

What Can You See?

The LT 114AZ opens up a surprisingly varied night sky.

Saturn's rings are clearly recognisable through the eyepiece, while Jupiter shows its four bright Galilean moons and, when conditions are good, its main cloud belts. Mars becomes a distinct reddish disc when favourably positioned, and the Moon reveals an extraordinary landscape of craters, mountain ranges, ridges and changing shadows.

Star clusters are particularly rewarding through a telescope of this size. Open clusters break into groups of individual stars, while southern favourites such as Omega Centauri appear as impressive concentrations of starlight.

Bright nebulae add another dimension. From New Zealand, the Carina Nebula is an excellent target, while the Orion Nebula and other brighter deep-sky objects give you plenty to seek out throughout the year. Under darker skies, brighter galaxies and fainter nebulae also come within reach.

Visual astronomy is different from astrophotography: faint nebulae and galaxies are generally more subtle through an eyepiece than in long-exposure photographs. But seeing these objects directly — and knowing the light reaching your eye has travelled across space to get there — is part of what makes observing through a telescope so rewarding.

How StarSense Explorer Works

StarSense Explorer uses your smartphone camera to recognise star patterns overhead and determine where the telescope is pointing.

After the initial setup, the app displays objects currently available to observe. Select one and on-screen arrows guide you as you move the telescope manually. When the bullseye turns green, the target should be within the telescope's low-power field of view.

StarSense does not move or automatically track the telescope. It provides the navigation while you remain in control.

This gives the LT 114AZ one of its biggest advantages: you get the simplicity and lower cost of a manual telescope without having to find your way around the night sky unaided.

FAQ's

Is the StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ suitable if I have never used a telescope before?

Yes. StarSense is particularly useful when you do not yet know the constellations or how to find objects manually. The telescope itself is also straightforward to operate, with a simple manual Alt-Azimuth mount.

What will I be able to see on Saturn and Jupiter?

Saturn's rings are clearly distinguishable through the LT 114AZ, while Jupiter's four major moons are easy to see as bright points around the planet. Under good atmospheric conditions, Jupiter's main cloud belts can also become visible. The view is through the eyepiece rather than a processed photograph, but seeing these features directly is one of the great experiences of owning a telescope.

Can I use the LT 114AZ from a town or city?

Yes. The Moon, planets, double stars and many star clusters remain worthwhile urban and suburban targets. Moving to darker skies makes a bigger difference when observing nebulae, galaxies and other faint deep-sky objects.

Smartphone Compatibility

The Celestron StarSense Explorer app is available for supported iPhone and Android smartphones. Because phone and operating-system requirements change over time, we recommend checking Celestron's current StarSense Explorer compatibility information before purchase.

Everything You Need to Observe Immediately

When you unbox your new StarSense Explorer LT, you’ll find:

• 114mm Newtonian reflector optical tube
• StarSense dock for your smartphone
• Low powered (25mm) and high powered (10mm) eyepiece
• 2x Barlow lens to double the power of each eyepiece
• StarPointer red dot finderscope, perfect for using the telescope during the day or without the StarSense Explorer app
• Altazimuth mount with slow motion control rod
• Full-height tripod with an accessory tray to keep you organized

StarSense Explorer App Manual

StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Quick Setup Guide