Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Quick Setup Guide

Quick Setup Guide

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for setting up your Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ telescope.

Included Parts:

• Telescope tube with altitude slow motion rod
• Lens cap
• Accessory bag
• Tripod with alt-azimuth yoke mount and center leg brace
• Two tube mounting screws
• StarSense smartphone dock
• Two eyepieces
• 2x Barlow lens
• Eyepiece accessory tray
• StarPointer finderscope
• StarSense Explorer app code card

Step 1: Set up the Tripod

Diagram: Shows all included parts laid out.

Spread the tripod legs outward until fully extended. Push down the center leg brace to secure the tripod.

Diagram: Shows tripod legs spread and center brace pushed down.

Step 2: Extend Tripod Legs

Extend the center portion of each tripod leg down about 6 to 12 inches. Use the tightening screw on each leg to secure the extended leg.

Diagram: Shows extending tripod legs and tightening screws.

Step 3: Level the Tripod Legs

Ensure all three legs are the same height once extended to provide a level platform for the telescope.

Diagram: Shows ensuring tripod legs are at equal height.

Step 4: Attach Eyepiece Accessory Tray

Place the eyepiece accessory tray on top of the tripod's center leg brace. Thread the tray into the center hole until fully seated. Note: If needed, rotate the tray counterclockwise so accessory holes are not blocked by leg brace arms.

Diagram: Shows placing and threading the accessory tray.

Step 5: Mount the Telescope Tube

Loosen the knob on the altitude rod guide on the side of the yoke mount to clear the hole. Slide the altitude rod into the rod guide on the mount. Lower the altitude hubs on the telescope tube into the cradles on the top of each yoke arm.

Diagram: Shows loosening the altitude rod guide knob.

Diagram: Shows sliding the altitude rod and lowering the telescope tube hubs into cradles.

Step 6: Secure the Telescope Tube

Tighten the altitude rod guide screw to hold the telescope in place.

Diagram: Shows tightening the altitude rod guide screw.

Step 7: Install Tube Mounting Screws

Insert the two tube mounting screws through the yoke mount and into the hubs on the telescope tube to secure it.

Diagram: Shows inserting tube mounting screws.

Step 8: Install the Finderscope

To install the finderscope, remove the two silver nuts from the threaded posts on the top of the tube, near the focuser.

Diagram: Shows removing nuts from posts for finderscope.

Place the two holes in the base of the finderscope over the threaded posts, ensuring the base sits flush on the telescope tube. The round window on the finderscope should point away from the focuser.

Diagram: Shows placing finderscope base over posts.

Thread the two nuts back onto the threaded posts.

Diagram: Shows threading nuts back on.

Step 9: Prepare the Battery

A small clear plastic tab is inserted between the battery and contact to prevent discharge during shipment. Pull this tab out to allow the battery to work.

Diagram: Shows pulling out a plastic tab from the battery compartment.

Step 10: Prepare the Focuser

Loosen the setscrews on the telescope focuser and remove the dust cap.

Diagram: Shows loosening focuser setscrews and removing dust cap.

Step 11: Install an Eyepiece

Loosen the setscrews on the focuser. Insert the silver barrel of the eyepiece into the focuser and secure by tightening the setscrews. Start with the low-power eyepiece (25 mm) to help find your target, and switch to the high-power eyepiece (10 mm) later.

Diagram: Shows installing an eyepiece.

Step 12: Use the Barlow Lens

To use the Barlow lens, remove your eyepiece from the focuser, insert the Barlow lens into the focuser, and then insert your eyepiece into the Barlow lens. This doubles the magnification.

Diagram: Shows using the Barlow lens.

Step 13: Attach the Smartphone Dock

Loosen the two setscrews on the dock mount at the top of the telescope tube. Slide the dovetail on the bottom of the dock into the mount and secure by tightening both screws.

Diagram: Shows installing the smartphone dock.

Step 14: Remove Lens Cap and Observe

Remove the lens cap from the front of the telescope. Look through the eyepiece and focus the image by turning the knobs below the focuser.

Diagram: Shows removing lens cap and observing.

Downloading and Activating the App

Before taking your telescope outside, download the StarSense Explorer app from your mobile device's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play). The app is large, so downloading via Wi-Fi is recommended.

Once downloaded, find the orange postcard in your telescope box. Launch the app and enter the activation code from the postcard when prompted. This code unlocks up to 5 devices.

Diagram: Shows the StarSense Explorer app code card.

Moving the Telescope

Moving the Mount Left/Right:

Loosen the azimuth tension knob on the yoke mount between two tripod legs.

Diagram: Shows loosening the azimuth tension knob.

Moving the Telescope Tube:

Hold a tripod leg with one hand. Grab the telescope tube focuser and move it left or right as desired. Adjust tension by tightening or loosening the knob.

Diagram: Shows holding a tripod leg and moving the telescope tube.

Moving the Telescope Up/Down:

Hold the focuser with one hand and loosen the knob on the slow motion rod guide. Move the telescope up or down as needed. Tighten the knob to secure it when close to your target.

Diagram: Shows loosening the slow motion rod guide knob to move the telescope.

Fine Adjustment:

Use the altitude slow motion rod for fine up-and-down adjustments. Keep the rod guide knob locked and rotate the black handle on the slow motion rod. This allows small increments for centering objects or tracking celestial bodies.

Diagram: Shows using the altitude slow motion rod for fine adjustment.

Resetting the Slow Motion Rod:

The altitude slow motion rod has a limited range (approx. 15 degrees). If you reach the end of travel, loosen the rod guide knob, turn the slow motion rod handle in the opposite direction until it's in the middle of its travel, then retighten the rod guide knob.

Diagram: Shows the limited range of the altitude slow motion rod and how to reset it.

Aligning the Finderscope

The finderscope is crucial for locating and centering objects. Initial alignment is best done during the day.

*SOLAR WARNING: Never view the Sun through a telescope without a proper solar filter!

Step 1: Choose a Target

Take the telescope outside during the day and select a recognizable, distant object (e.g., streetlight, sign) at least a quarter mile away.

Diagram: Shows the finderscope and eyepiece alignment concept.

Step 2: Center the Target in the Eyepiece

Look through the telescope with your low-power eyepiece (25 mm). Move the telescope until the target is centered in the view. Adjust focus using the focus knobs if the image is blurry. Note: Inverted images are normal for astronomical telescopes.

Diagram: Shows the 25mm eyepiece and focus knobs.

Diagram: Shows centering the target in the eyepiece.

Step 3: Look Through the Finderscope

Once the object is centered in the 25 mm eyepiece, look through the finderscope and locate the red dot.

Diagram: Shows looking through the finderscope.

Step 4: Adjust the Finderscope

Without moving the telescope, use the two adjustment knobs on the finderscope to move the red dot until it aligns with the object centered in the 25 mm eyepiece.

Diagram: Shows adjusting the finderscope.

Step 5: Finderscope Alignment Complete

Your finderscope is now aligned. It should not need realignment unless bumped or dropped.

Diagram: Shows an aligned finderscope.

Attaching the Smartphone

Step 1: Prepare the StarSense Dock

Remove the large cap covering the mirror on the front of the StarSense dock.

Diagram: Shows removing the cap from the StarSense dock mirror.

Step 2: Mount the Smartphone

Pull open the spring-loaded slider on the top of the phone dock. Place your phone into the holder so it is flush with the bottom lip. Slowly release the slider to secure the phone.

Diagram: Shows placing the phone in the dock.

Your First Night Out

Congratulations! Your telescope is now set up and ready for cosmic exploration. Take it outside, insert the 25 mm eyepiece, remove the lens cap, place your smartphone in the dock, and launch the StarSense Explorer app. The app's tutorial will guide you in finding your first astronomical target.

For More Information & Assistance

For more information, visit the product page on celestron.com.

SOLAR WARNING: Never attempt to view the Sun through any telescope without a proper solar filter.

Assistance: Contact Celestron Technical Support at celestron.com/pages/technical-support.