Celestron StarSense Explorer

Name: Celestron StarSense Explorer
Rating: 3.3 (161 reviews)
Author: Celestron, LLC

By: Celestron, LLC App

Reference

Overview

Version:

2.0.2

Last updated: 2026-05-20

Ranking

#143,304 ▲ 723

Overall

Features & Capabilities

Celestron StarSense Explorer unleashes the power of your smartphone to guide you through the night sky. Using patent-pending StarSense Sky Recognition and plate-solving techniques, it analyzes star patterns to calculate the telescope’s pointing in real time with pinpoint accuracy when used with a StarSense Explorer telescope (sold separately). It tells you which objects are visible and shows how to move the telescope to place them in the eyepiece, helping beginners and seasoned observers alike.

The easy-to-use planetarium interface lets you scan for targets or search the database, and Tonight's Best lists suggest what to view from your location. You can access detailed information, images, and audio descriptions for popular objects, and the app supports English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Japanese and Russian. It’s compatible with iPhone 6 and higher.

User Growth & Download Statistics

App Education Navigation & Mapping

By:

Celestron, LLC

Rating:

3.30

(161)

Version:

2.0.2 Last updated: 2026-05-20

Version code:

885866729

Creation date:

2020-01-07

Compatible devices:

Size:

741.06MB

URLs:

Website ,Privacy policy

Full description:

Source:

Apple Apps Store

Data ingested on:

2026-07-15

Compare stats and ranking:

Ranking

# 143,304 ▲ 723

Other platforms

StarSense Explorer (v2.0.2.3)

322,076 2.78

(329)

For Developers

Monetize with App Pass Boost with Extension Booster

Contact the developer

Chrome-Stats does not own this Apple app. Please use these information below to contact the Apple app developer.

Developed by:

Celestron, LLC

Apple Apps Store

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/celestron-starsense-explorer/id1368600689

Website:

https://www.celestron.com/collections/starsense-explorer-smartphone-app-enabled-telescopes

User Reviews

Reviewers repeatedly praise the app for helping locate planets and sky targets and for easy setup once alignment is correct, with many noting targets land in or near the eyepiece after proper alignment. However, they report recurring issues: unreliable calibration, inaccurate or misdirected sky data, faulty or invalid setup codes, and compatibility problems with certain telescopes and newer iPhones. Some critique the UI as poorly designed. Overall success hinges on robust alignment, accurate sky data, and broad device compatibility; without these, the app can be frustrating rather than helpful.

Pros

Helps identify and locate planets and other sky targets.
Easy to set up and user-friendly once you follow the setup steps.
When properly aligned, it places targets in or near the eyepiece view.
Makes visual astronomy easier and more efficient.

Cons

Alignment/calibration is flaky and unreliable across sessions.
Sky positioning is often inaccurate, with objects appearing in the wrong direction or far from the expected location.
Invalid or faulty setup codes disrupt initial setup.
Compatibility issues with some telescopes and newer iPhone models.
User interface/UX is criticized as lacking.

Recent reviews

Not intuitive, fast, or user friendly. The hardware involved also is cheap garbage with poor quality and was sent with broken parts, which didn’t help endear me to Celestron as a brand either.

by Na*****, 2026-06-17

So I feel like it’s awesome!! I love it connected to my telescope but I rlly think you developers should update it to add the new space objects found! Depending on the telescope that the consumer has, if it is strong enough you should add the dwarf planets (ceres makemake hamuea eris pluto) you already have pluto but still! The others are cool to observe! Plus I love the detail they added!