StarSense Explorer APK
App information
Version 1.1.13.0 (#111300)
Updated 2024-09-13
APK Size 37.9 MB
Requires Android Android 7.1+ (Nougat)
Offered by Celestron
Category Free Education App
App id com.celestron.skybox
Developer's notes Use your phone's camera, gyro, and a Celestron telescope to see the universe!
Screenshot
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Table of contents
Latest updates
What's new in StarSense Explorer 1.1.13.0
Fixed periodic crash that was happening for some phones.
Editor's review
Download the latest StarSense Explorer application, version 1.1.13.0, compatible with Windows 10/11 (using emulators such as Bluestacks), Android devices. This free Education app is developed by Celestron and is easy to download and install.
Previous versions, including 1.1.13.0, 1.1.12.1, 1.1.11.8, 1.1.8.2, are also available. If you need help or have any problems, please let us know.
Description
STARSENSE SKY RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY
This one-of-a-kind app uses patent-pending technology in combination with a Celestron StarSense Explorer telescope (sold separately) to analyze star patterns overhead to calculate the telescope’s position in real time with pinpoint accuracy.
StarSense Explorer’s sky recognition technology has revolutionized the manual telescope by eliminating the confusion common among beginners and enhancing the user experience for even seasoned telescope users. Many would-be astronomers become frustrated or lose interest in their manual telescope because they don’t know where to point it to see planets, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies—the good stuff! StarSense Explorer tells you exactly which celestial objects are currently visible in the night sky and where to move your telescope to place those objects in the telescope’s eyepiece.
THE NIGHT SKY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
The user-friendly planetarium interface allows you to scan the skies for objects you wish to view. You can also search for objects in the extensive database.
Not sure what to observe? StarSense Explorer automatically generates a list of all the best stars, planets, galaxies, nebulae and more currently visible from your location. Simply select one from the list and off you go!
While you observe, you can access detailed information, images, and audio descriptions for the most popular objects. It’s a great way for the entire family to learn scientific facts, history, mythology, and more, deepening your understanding of the night sky.
EASY AS 1-2-3: DOCK, LAUNCH, OBSERVE
To get started, assemble your StarSense Explorer telescope and download the app. Your telescope includes a unique unlock code to access the full features of the app. Connect your phone to the telescope by placing it into the StarSense dock and launch the app.
After a simple 2-step procedure to align the smartphone’s camera with the telescope, the app displays a view of the night sky and shows a bullseye on the screen to represent the telescope’s current pointing position. From here, you can select an object to view by tapping it in the planetarium view or selecting it from the Tonight’s Best observing list. Objects will vary from night to night; you may see planets like Jupiter or Saturn, nebulae like Orion, the Andromeda Galaxy, or other object types.
Once you select an object, the app displays pointing arrows onscreen. These indicate where to move the telescope to find it. Follow the arrows until the bullseye appears centered on target. When the bullseye turns green, the object is visible in the telescope’s lower powered eyepiece.
HOW STARSENSE EXPLORER WORKS
StarSense Explorer uses image data captured by the smartphone’s camera to determine its pointing position. The app captures an image of the night sky and then matches the star patterns within the image to its internal database in a process like fingerprint matching or facial recognition.
The process of extracting star pattern data in images to determine a telescope’s current pointing position is called “plate solving.” It is the same method used by professional observatories and orbiting satellites.
The StarSense Explorer app is the first app ever developed that uses plate solving to determine the smartphone’s current pointing position. Other astronomy apps rely on the smartphone’s gyroscopes, accelerometers, and compass to estimate its pointing position. These methods are not accurate enough to place objects within the telescope’s field of view.
StarSense Explorer technology is patent-pending.
COMPATIBILITY
Most smartphones manufactured after 2016 running Android 7.1.2 and higher. Check celestron.com/SSE for detailed Android compatibility information.
StarSense Explorer has localization support for French, Italian, German, and Spanish.
App permissions
StarSense Explorer 1.1.13.0 APK requires following permissions:
Allows applications to open network sockets.
Allows applications to access information about networks.
Allows an app to access approximate location.
Allows an app to access precise location.
Allows access to the vibrator.
Allows applications to access information about Wi-Fi networks.
Required to be able to access the camera device.
Allows using PowerManager WakeLocks to keep processor from sleeping or screen from dimming.
Allows an application to receive the ACTION_BOOT_COMPLETED that is broadcast after the system finishes booting.
Ratings and Reviews
Rating: 2.3/5 based on 2+ reviews
(*) is required
1 ★ Doesn't Work - rarely, if ever, locates telescope. The apps internal gyro used to calibrate the compass is also off by just enough to make the app useless when locating objects. Finally, the app cannot ever focus a clear picture off of the mirror even when I get crystal clear focus using my direct camera app. No longer using.
2 ★ Idea is fantastic and a major reason why I bought this telescope. Unfortunately it rarely works. Constantly "searching for telescope position" Very unreliable and frustrating. The few times it did work it was great and make star gazing for beginners very user friendly.
1 ★ Trash app. It doesnt align with the telescope. Always points somewhere in North. Tried on 3 different phones. Same problem. I followed the instructions on the screen.
1 ★ Got this as an early Christmas gift for this months celestial events. App will not find location even after following all the helpful suggestions in the reviews. Location on, went through settings etc. Nothing works.
1 ★ This app is exactly how lots of other people have described it. Total waste of time, never points at planet or star you want to see, always keeps changing the position.
1 ★ Everytime I go to align it the camera won't focus and it says it detects movement. I bought the telescope to easily find objects in the sky and the app is useless.
1 ★ This app is horrible. I cant even use it. Never finds the telescopes position. I get not having gps to make it easier to use in secluded areas, but ffs, add gps to it because its HORRIBLE.
1 ★ A total waste of time! They must want everyone to get an IPhone. Because I have two Android phones, and one of them is fairly new. But it tells me on both, "Unfortunately, this ap is not compatable with your device". This is pure nonesense! And it is "Unfortunate" for Celestron! Because from now on I will not be reccomending thier telescopes that use this feature, to my friends or my family. And now I will have to contact my cousin, who was going to buy one, and retract my reccomendation.
5 ★ Just amazing. Works on my android phone. Anyone having issue about location can't find telescope position follow 3 steps: 1) make sure phone location is on 2) in app go to settings menu-> location and tap on use current location. 3) align the telescope as per tutorial. And it works like a charm
1 ★ It sure would be nice if this actually worked. We have tried several times and it says it can't find the telescope. Very disappointed.
5 ★ the app works well. after aligning your telescope it does in fact guide you accurately well to various celestrial bodies
5 ★ Michael Hall Jr. To fix white screen. Go to your settings in your Android phn locate the DL app starsense explorer. Click open permission find the cache and history for the app and clear them all out. Then use the code gave to you prior to reset up. Seems you may have had old data and need to create new updated cache
5 ★ So useful dude. Just got a telescope and this app makes it SO EASY. Just a heads up to people reading this, it does not work during the day.
3 ★ Very complicated to work. Spent to much time waiting on it to find its location. But did a pretty good job after it did.
5 ★ This is awesome. PLEASE NOTE. This app ONLY WORKS with Celestron Starsense DX or LT telescopes only. The orange card in the package has your code. Don't loose it. If its not working for you. Its more than likely YOUR PHONE try another one! Or remove all the useless apps on it. Cuz the app works flawlessly. If its not working correctly its your phone!! DO NOT TRY TO USE THIS WITH A PHONE OR TELESCOPE NOT DESIGNED FOR IT.. it won't work !! Its only for specific telescopes ONLY!!!
Previous versions
StarSense Explorer 1.1.13.0 APK for Windows (#111300, 37.9 MB)
StarSense Explorer 1.1.12.1 APK for Windows (#111201, 32.6 MB)
StarSense Explorer 1.1.11.8 APK for Windows (#111108, 30.8 MB)
StarSense Explorer 1.1.8.2 APK for Windows (#11802, 61.3 MB)
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