---
title: "Celestron StarSense Explorer - Reviews, Revenue and Downloads in United States | Apple App Store"
description: "Unleash the power of your smartphone to take you on a guided tour of the night sky, even if you’ve never used a telescope before.  STARSENSE SKY RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY  This one-of-a-kind app uses pat"
---

# Celestron StarSense Explorer — United States

![Celestron StarSense Explorer App Icon](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple211/v4/0c/cd/33/0ccd33b9-ca3d-a1ad-19b1-5b5b4a829b31/AppIcon-0-0-1x_U007emarketing-0-6-0-85-220.png/400x400bb.png)

**Developer:** [Celestron](https://apptail.io/developer/celestron-oerb) (United States)
**Category:** Reference
**Rating:** 3.3/5 (167 ratings)
**Price:** Free
**Bundle ID:** com.celestron.skybox
**Store:** Apple App Store
**Country:** United States
**Version:** 2.0.2 (released 2026-05-20)
**Original Release:** 2020-01-07

**App Store Link:** [Download on Apple App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/app/id1368600689)
**AppTail Page:** [https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/united-states](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/united-states)

## Celestron StarSense Explorer Description
Unleash the power of your smartphone to take you on a guided tour of the night sky, even if you’ve never used a telescope before.

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

Compatible with iPhone 6 and higher.

LOCALIZATION

Support for English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Japanese and Russian.

## Celestron StarSense Explorer Screenshots
- [Screenshot 1](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/PurpleSource221/v4/72/8d/da/728dda12-a986-74d4-61cd-a99066ff69ca/SSE_Screenshots-6.9-Display_06.jpg/1242x2688.png)
- [Screenshot 2](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/PurpleSource221/v4/b9/e8/e9/b9e8e9d4-07c3-e252-777b-d15a4d1719a8/SSE_Screenshots-6.9-Display_07.jpg/1242x2688.png)
- [Screenshot 3](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/PurpleSource211/v4/6b/eb/6b/6beb6bbf-f1d3-a59e-2e80-b36d10bbb9c1/SSE_Screenshots-6.9-Display_08.jpg/1242x2688.png)
- [Screenshot 4](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/PurpleSource211/v4/2c/9e/ef/2c9eef4e-1ac1-9fe0-8781-ec01fc963654/SSE_Screenshots-6.9-Display_01.jpg/1242x2688.png)
- [Screenshot 5](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/PurpleSource211/v4/94/f2/90/94f29047-7c13-a196-af90-d7f7c91d38e7/SSE_Screenshots-6.9-Display_02.jpg/1242x2688.png)
- [Screenshot 6](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/PurpleSource211/v4/fa/12/84/fa128454-eec4-535a-f15d-adf302ea4d05/SSE_Screenshots-6.9-Display_10.jpg/1242x2688.png)
- [Screenshot 7](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/PurpleSource211/v4/76/af/ce/76afcef5-aa45-d525-a3b1-05b02cce6e73/SSE_Screenshots-6.9-Display_03.jpg/1242x2688.png)
- [Screenshot 8](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/PurpleSource221/v4/18/78/87/187887bc-90ee-e69f-11f8-a08a29aa5388/SSE_Screenshots-6.9-Display_05.jpg/1242x2688.png)
- [Screenshot 9](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/PurpleSource221/v4/bd/fe/5e/bdfe5e08-6225-fcb7-a5c6-aa5d8bd90150/SSE_Screenshots-6.9-Display_09.jpg/1242x2688.png)
- [Screenshot 10](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/PurpleSource211/v4/1c/db/3e/1cdb3e31-f8f4-c2f6-2c3e-db492f4eddcf/SSE_Screenshots-6.9-Display_04.jpg/1242x2688.png)

## Celestron StarSense Explorer Rating Breakdown in United States
- 5 stars: 71 (43%)
- 4 stars: 16 (10%)
- 3 stars: 12 (7%)
- 2 stars: 23 (14%)
- 1 stars: 45 (27%)

## Celestron StarSense Explorer Reviews in United States

### *---- "This is so bad"
I have been trying to get this to work all night and it says the code i am using is invalid but it isn’t worse then most mobile games
-- strughgh, 2024-12-08

### ***** "Works perfect"
Not sure how everyone is having problems, clip phone in, follow the instructions on screen and done. Takes 30 seconds and is dead on if you do what the screen tells you. It really couldn’t be any easier.
-- *DDB*, 2024-11-08

### *---- "App issues"
App keeps saying can’t find my position
-- azul821, 2024-10-20

### ***** "Awesome"
Makes the whole process of visual astronomy super easy. Recommend aligning with a bright star like Vega. Worked perfectly after this. Saw several planets, ring nebula, andromeda galaxy, several star clusters on my first time ever using a telescope. Used with the celestron 8” dobsonian
-- Aaron1234543213565321, 2024-09-29

### *---- "Does not track on IPhone 15"
On a clear night sky, this app fails to located the moon even when calibrated, centered, and pointing directly at it. Position says “found”; though app is off by an entire hemisphere in a bortle 5 sky. Completely ruins the value of my hobby telescope.
-- dantheflipman, 2024-08-27

### *---- "Code doesn't work"
I've entered the correct code multiple times and it keeps saying invalid code. I got another code and enter that it keeps saying invalid code. This is very disappointing.
-- baakaakwe, 2024-07-25

### *---- "Codes"
Why would you send out new telescopes with faulty codes? No one wants to struggle with a bad code when setting up equipment. Its frustrating and uselessly. The you direct that bad code for to download  A DIFFERENT software that is only foe desktop computers.... why .....
-- Judas1116, 2024-07-07

### ***** "Works very well"
If you allow the app a few seconds after moving to reorient and make the appropriate adjustment it works very well. It regularly places the object either directly in the eyepiece or within one field of view. My only complaint is I want them to sell the phone mount on its own so I can add it to my non-celestron telescopes!
-- Frothing otter, 2024-03-29

### ****- "Wish it had logging features."
The app works very well putting me on a lot of targets. The only other thing I wish could be added is the ability to record or log your findings and maybe a “notes” section add in your own details.
-- 351cmustang, 2024-01-01

### ****- "Good app, but"
This app is good but need more objects
-- Davidoros2011, 2023-11-12

[View all Celestron StarSense Explorer reviews and detailed analytics on AppTail](https://app.apptail.io/signup?utm_campaign=ai-crawl&utm_content=reviews)


## Celestron StarSense Explorer Store Rankings
| Chart | Country | Category | Rank |
|-------|---------|----------|------|
| Top Free | Colombia | Reference | #142 |
| Top Free | South Korea | Reference | #214 |
| Top Free | Ireland | Reference | #227 |
| Top Free | Sweden | Reference | #235 |

## Celestron StarSense Explorer Discovered Keywords
- starry night celestron
- celestron skyportal
- explore the stars
- starsense
- starsense explorer
- celestron
- skyportal

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## Celestron StarSense Explorer Available In
- [United States](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/united-states)
- [Japan](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/japan)
- [Australia](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/australia)
- [China](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/china)
- [United Kingdom](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/united-kingdom)
- [Canada](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/canada)
- [South Korea](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/south-korea)
- [Italy](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/italy)
- [Germany](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/germany)
- [France](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/france)
- [Switzerland](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/switzerland)
- [Brazil](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/brazil)
- [Spain](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/spain)
- [Netherlands](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/netherlands)
- [New Zealand](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/new-zealand)
- [Taiwan](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/taiwan)
- [Denmark](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/denmark)
- [Singapore](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/singapore)
- [Norway](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/norway)
- [South Africa](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/south-africa)
- [India](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/india)
- [Colombia](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/colombia)
- [Mexico](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/mexico)
- [United Arab Emirates](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/united-arab-emirates)
- [Chile](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/chile)
- [Czechia](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/czechia)
- [Egypt](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/egypt)
- [Hong Kong SAR China](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/hong-kong)
- [Ireland](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/ireland)
- [Israel](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/israel)
- [Poland](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/poland)
- [Russia](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/russia)
- [Saudi Arabia](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/saudi-arabia)
- [Slovakia](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/slovakia)
- [Thailand](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/thailand)
- [Vietnam](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/vietnam)
- [Honduras](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/honduras)
- [Croatia](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/croatia)
- [Sri Lanka](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/sri-lanka)
- [Sweden](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/sweden)
- [Türkiye](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/turkey)
- [Malaysia](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/malaysia)
- [Indonesia](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/indonesia)
- [Belgium](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/belgium)
- [Jamaica](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/jamaica)
- [Bermuda](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/bermuda)
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- [Lebanon](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/lebanon)
- [Lithuania](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/lithuania)
- [Luxembourg](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/luxembourg)
- [Latvia](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/latvia)
- [Madagascar](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/madagascar)
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- [Malta](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/malta)
- [Mauritius](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/mauritius)
- [Bulgaria](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/bulgaria)
- [Nigeria](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/nigeria)
- [Nicaragua](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/nicaragua)
- [Austria](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/austria)
- [Greece](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/greece)
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- [Algeria](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/algeria)
- [Ecuador](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/ecuador)
- [Estonia](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/estonia)
- [Cyprus](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/cyprus)
- [Finland](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/finland)
- [Belarus](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/belarus)
- [Nepal](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/nepal)
- [Azerbaijan](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/azerbaijan)
- [Panama](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/panama)
- [Peru](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/peru)
- [Philippines](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/philippines)
- [Pakistan](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/pakistan)
- [Portugal](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/portugal)
- [Paraguay](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/paraguay)
- [Qatar](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/qatar)
- [Romania](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/romania)
- [Uruguay](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/uruguay)
- [Uzbekistan](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/uzbekistan)
- [Slovenia](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/slovenia)
- [Venezuela](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/venezuela)
- [Cayman Islands](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/cayman-islands)
- [Barbados](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/barbados)
- [Botswana](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/botswana)
- [Ghana](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/ghana)
- [Oman](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/oman)
- [Guyana](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/guyana)
- [Belize](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/belize)
- [Suriname](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/suriname)
- [Grenada](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/grenada)
- [Angola](https://apptail.io/app/celestron-starsense-explorer-EDO/angola)

---

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