The National Geographic StarApp70 takes a capable 70mm refractor and adds something most beginner scopes don't have: a mount that works with your phone to help you find what you're looking for. The free ARTelescope App turns your smartphone into a built-in astronomy guide, pointing you toward planets, stars, and constellations with audio narration and an in-app encyclopedia.
Unlike standard beginner scopes that leave you hunting for objects in the dark, the StarApp70's PanHandle mount integrates your phone directly into the mount design, making the app and the telescope work as one system. The 70mm aperture and 700mm focal length (f/10) deliver excellent planetary and lunar detail, and the four magnification levels — 26.9×, 52×, 72×, and 144× — cover everything from wide star fields to close-up Saturn. It's a genuine step up from entry-level scopes, with Plössl eyepieces, a dew shield, and a carbon fiber-wrap finish.
What you'll see
-
The Moon — craters, mountain ranges, and fine surface detail at multiple magnifications
-
Jupiter — cloud bands, Great Red Spot, and all four Galilean moons simultaneously
-
Saturn — rings, the Cassini Division, and its largest moon Titan
-
Deep-sky objects — the Orion Nebula, Pleiades, and globular clusters like M13
What's in the box
- National Geographic StarApp70 70mm refractor (carbon fiber wrap)
- PanHandle alt-azimuth mount (smartphone-integrated)
- Two Plössl eyepieces (26mm and 9.7mm)
- 2× Barlow lens
- Full-size adjustable tripod
- Dew shield
- Smartphone adapter
- Free ARTelescope App (iOS & Android)
| Specifications |
|---|
| Model |
80-30070 |
| Optical design |
Achromatic refractor |
| Aperture |
70 mm |
| Focal length |
700 mm (f/10) |
| Magnification |
26.9×, 52×, 72×, 144× |
| Eyepieces |
Plössl 26 mm & 9.7 mm |
| Barlow lens |
2× |
| Mount type |
PanHandle alt-azimuth |
| Finish |
Carbon fiber wrap |
| Dew shield |
Included |
| Smartphone adapter |
Included |
Backed by Telescope Wolves' price match guarantee and free US shipping. Not sure if this is the right telescope for you? Our team is happy to help — contact us anytime.
Frequently asked questions
How does the ARTelescope App work?
The ARTelescope App uses your phone's GPS and sensors to show you a real-time map of the sky above you. Point the phone at any direction and it overlays the names of stars, planets, and constellations on your camera view. It also includes audio guides and an astronomy encyclopedia so you can learn about what you're observing as you go.
Does the app control the telescope or is it manual?
The StarApp70 is a manual telescope — the app helps you identify where to point it, but you aim it yourself. There are no motors or computerized tracking. This actually makes it a great learning tool, since you build intuition for navigating the sky rather than letting a computer do it for you.
Why are Plössl eyepieces better than basic eyepieces?
Plössl eyepieces use four lens elements instead of two, resulting in sharper, more contrasty views across a wider apparent field. They're significantly better than the Huygens or Ramsden eyepieces that come with budget telescopes.
What does the dew shield do?
On humid nights, moisture can condense on the front lens and blur your view. The dew shield extends the front of the tube to reduce airflow over the lens, slowing down dew formation so you can keep observing longer. It's a practical accessory that many scopes don't include at this price.
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
