Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ - Smartphone app-enabled refractor telescope

The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ is a wonderfully versatile way to start exploring both the night sky and the world around you.

At night, its 70mm refractor optics give sharp, clear views of the Moon and brighter astronomical targets. Saturn's rings are recognisable through the eyepiece, Jupiter's four bright moons are easy to follow, and its main cloud belts can become visible when conditions are good. Open star clusters and bright nebulae add plenty more to explore.

StarSense Explorer makes finding those objects considerably easier. The app shows you what is currently available to observe, lets you choose a target, then guides you towards it as you move the telescope manually. You do not need to know the constellations or learn traditional star-hopping before you can start enjoying the sky.

During the day, the telescope becomes a useful long-distance viewing instrument for birds, wildlife, boats, coastlines, landscapes and distant scenery. The supplied erect-image diagonal provides a correctly oriented view, so terrestrial subjects appear naturally.

The long-focus f/10 refractor design is straightforward to own and use, while the complete telescope remains light enough to move easily when you want to observe somewhere else. There are no telescope motors, batteries or external power requirements to manage.

For someone wanting an accessible telescope that offers genuine astronomy, StarSense guidance and useful daytime viewing in one simple package, the LT 70AZ has a great deal to offer.

Why Choose the StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ?

• Night and daytime viewing from one telescope — explore astronomical targets after dark and birds, boats, wildlife and landscapes during the day.
• StarSense smartphone guidance — see what is currently available and follow the app towards your chosen night-sky target.
• No knowledge of the constellations required — start observing without first having to master star charts or star-hopping.
• Sharp 70mm refractor optics — particularly rewarding on the Moon, planets, double stars and brighter star clusters.
• 25mm and 10mm eyepieces plus 2x Barlow included — gives you several useful magnification options straight from the box.
• Simple manual operation — move the telescope yourself, with altitude slow-motion adjustment for finer positioning.
• Light and easy to move — convenient for taking outside, travelling or using from different observing locations.
• No telescope power supply required — the mount remains completely manual.

What Can You See?

The LT 70AZ gives you a varied range of bright and rewarding targets.

Saturn's rings are clearly recognisable, while Jupiter's four Galilean moons can be followed as they change position from night to night. Under good atmospheric conditions, Jupiter's main cloud belts can also become visible. Mars appears as a small reddish disc when favourably positioned.

The Moon is naturally one of the telescope's strongest subjects, revealing crater walls, mountain ranges, ridges and shadows that change dramatically as the lunar phase progresses.

Star clusters are another excellent target for a 70mm refractor. From New Zealand, objects such as the Southern Pleiades and Jewel Box Cluster provide attractive groups of individual stars, while larger clusters such as Omega Centauri appear as striking concentrations of starlight.

Bright nebulae also come within reach. The Orion Nebula and, under suitably dark skies, portions of the Carina Nebula can be seen as soft areas of nebulosity surrounded by stars.

Moving away from strong artificial lighting improves the view of these fainter deep-sky objects, while planets, the Moon, double stars and many clusters remain worthwhile targets from towns and cities.

Daytime Viewing

The LT 70AZ is just as useful when the Sun is up.

Its supplied 90° erect-image diagonal produces an upright, correctly oriented view, making the telescope suitable for observing birds, wildlife, boats, coastlines, distant hills and landscapes.

The 25mm eyepiece provides a useful lower-power view for locating and following subjects, while the 10mm eyepiece allows you to examine more distant objects in greater detail when conditions allow.

StarSense navigation itself is designed for the night sky, so daytime subjects are located manually using the red-dot finder and telescope mount.

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 follow the on-screen arrows as you move the telescope by hand. 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.

FAQ's

Is the StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ suitable if I have never used a telescope before?

Yes. StarSense removes much of the difficulty of finding night-sky objects, while the manual Alt-Azimuth mount is straightforward to operate. It is an approachable way to begin astronomy without needing to know the sky beforehand.

Can I use the LT 70AZ during the day?

Yes. The supplied erect-image diagonal gives a correctly oriented terrestrial view, making the telescope useful for birds, wildlife, boats, landscapes and other distant subjects.

Does StarSense move or track the telescope automatically?

No. StarSense guides you towards your chosen night-sky target, but you move the telescope yourself. The altitude slow-motion adjustment then helps with finer positioning.

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:

• 70mm refractor 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
• 90-degree erect image diagonal
• 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

Is this telescope suitable for beginners? Yes 

StarSense Explorer App Manual

StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ Quick Setup Guide