Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ - Smartphone app-enabled refractor telescope

The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ is a versatile day-and-night telescope with enough extra aperture to make astronomy noticeably more rewarding while remaining straightforward to use.

Its 80mm refractor optics deliver sharp, clear views of the Moon and brighter night-sky objects. Saturn’s rings are clearly recognisable, Jupiter’s four bright moons are easy to follow, and its main cloud belts can become visible when atmospheric conditions are good. Star clusters, double stars and bright nebulae add plenty more to explore as the seasons change.

StarSense Explorer removes much of the difficulty of finding those objects. 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 begin.

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 gives a correctly oriented view, so terrestrial subjects appear naturally.

The 900mm focal length also gives the LT 80AZ a little more reach for planetary and long-distance viewing, while the supplied 25mm and 10mm eyepieces provide 36x and 90x magnification. A 2x Barlow lens is also included to expand the range of magnifications available.

For someone wanting a little more astronomical performance while retaining easy StarSense guidance and genuine daytime versatility, the LT 80AZ offers a very appealing balance.

Why Choose the StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ?

• More rewarding astronomy from an 80mm refractor — enjoy planets, double stars, star clusters and bright nebulae with sharp, clear views.
• StarSense smartphone guidance — see what is currently visible and follow the app towards your chosen night-sky target.
• No knowledge of the constellations required — start observing without first needing to learn traditional star-hopping.
• Excellent day-and-night versatility — use the same telescope for astronomy, wildlife, boats, landscapes and distant scenery.
• 900mm focal length — provides useful reach for planets and long-distance terrestrial subjects.
• 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.
• No telescope power supply required — the mount remains completely manual.

What Can You See?

The LT 80AZ gives you a satisfying range of bright astronomical targets to work through.

Saturn’s rings are clearly recognisable through the eyepiece, while Jupiter shows its four Galilean moons and, under favourable conditions, its main cloud belts. Mars appears as a small reddish disc when well positioned, and the Moon reveals extensive detail across craters, ridges, mountain ranges and changing shadows.

Star clusters are particularly rewarding. The Southern Pleiades and Jewel Box Cluster provide attractive groups of individual stars, while larger southern objects such as Omega Centauri become impressive concentrations of starlight.

Bright nebulae also come within reach. The Orion Nebula is an excellent target, while portions of the Carina Nebula can be seen from suitably dark locations surrounded by rich southern star fields.

The LT 80AZ remains very useful from towns and cities, where planets, the Moon, double stars and many star clusters continue to provide worthwhile observing. Moving away from strong artificial lighting increasingly benefits nebulae and other fainter deep-sky objects.

Daytime Viewing

The LT 80AZ is also an excellent telescope for long-distance daytime viewing.

Its supplied 90° erect-image diagonal provides an upright, correctly oriented view for birds, wildlife, boats, coastlines, hills and landscapes.

The 25mm eyepiece gives a useful lower-power view for locating and following subjects, while the 10mm eyepiece provides more magnification for distant detail when atmospheric conditions allow.

StarSense navigation itself is designed for the night sky, so daytime targets 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 a target and follow the on-screen arrows as you move the telescope by hand. When the bullseye turns green, the object 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 80AZ suitable if I have never used a telescope before?

Yes. StarSense makes finding night-sky objects much easier, while the manual Alt-Azimuth mount remains straightforward to operate. You can begin exploring without first needing to know the constellations.

Can I use the LT 80AZ during the day?

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

What magnification does the LT 80AZ provide?

The supplied 25mm and 10mm eyepieces provide 36x and 90x magnification. A 2x Barlow lens is also included, giving you additional magnification options up to 180x when viewing conditions and the target suit them.

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:

• 80mm 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

 StarSense Explorer App Manual

StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ Quick Setup Guide