The Explore One STAR50APP is a 50mm refractor with a free astronomy app built into the experience — point the telescope at a star or planet and the ARTelescope app (free for iOS and Android) identifies exactly what you're looking at and tells you something interesting about it. It's a genuinely useful feature for beginners who want to learn the sky while they explore it, not just look through the eyepiece wondering what they found.
Unlike basic starter scopes that leave you guessing what you're seeing, the STAR50APP pairs real glass optics with guided discovery. The included smartphone adapter lets you photograph through the eyepiece and share what you see — great for kids showing off their finds or families keeping a record of observing sessions.
What you'll see
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The Moon — craters and mountain ranges easy to find and impressive in detail
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Saturn's rings — visible at 48× on clear nights
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Jupiter's four Galilean moons — arranged around the planet and identified for you by the app
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Open star clusters and bright double stars — located and labeled by the ARTelescope app as you go
What's in the box
- 50mm refractor OTA — lightweight tube with coated optics
- Full-size adjustable tripod with accessory tray
- Panhandle AZ mount — smooth, intuitive one-hand steering
- 20mm Huygens eyepiece (30×) — wide field for finding objects
- 12.5mm Huygens eyepiece (48×) — higher power for planets and the Moon
- Smartphone adapter — clips your phone over the eyepiece for afocal photography
- ARTelescope App — free for iOS and Android; identifies objects and shares facts as you observe
| Specifications |
|---|
| Optical design |
Achromatic refractor |
| Aperture |
50 mm |
| Focal length |
600 mm (f/12) |
| Magnification |
30× (20mm) and 48× (12.5mm) |
| Mount |
Panhandle alt-azimuth with full-size adjustable tripod |
| App |
ARTelescope — free iOS and Android, identifies objects and provides encyclopedia content |
| Includes |
Smartphone adapter for through-the-eyepiece photography |
Backed by Telescope Wolves' price match guarantee and free US shipping. Not sure if this is the right scope for you? We're happy to help.
Frequently asked questions
How does the ARTelescope app actually work?
You open the app on your phone, point the phone camera at the sky (or describe what you're looking at), and it identifies the object and tells you what it is. It includes an audio guide and astronomy encyclopedia — so instead of staring at an unfamiliar bright dot, you learn its name, distance, and a few interesting facts. It's a meaningful upgrade over just having a paper star map.
Does the smartphone adapter fit all phones?
The adapter is adjustable and fits most modern smartphones, including larger phones like iPhone Pro Max models. It clips over the eyepiece to align your phone camera for afocal photography — a simple but genuinely fun way to capture what you're seeing and share it.
What magnifications can I reach?
The two included eyepieces give 30× and 48×. Adding a 2× Barlow (around $15 separately) doubles those to 60× and 96× for more planetary detail. The 600mm focal length is well-suited to lunar and planetary observing at these magnifications.
Is this a good gift for a curious kid?
It's one of the better options in this price range for kids who want to actively learn, not just look. The app keeps the experience interactive and educational — every observing session becomes a discovery rather than a guessing game. The panhandle mount is also easier for younger astronomers than traditional AZ knobs.
New to astronomy? Read our beginner's guide to choosing your first telescope or our Astronomy 101 guide to get started.
Watch it in action
