StarSense Explorer App uses a smart-phone mounted to a telescope to plate-solve the position of a push-to telescope. The smart-phone integrated camera is used to capture the image for solving and navigation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Hb0x-IdeDs
The technology for doing this is open-source. This guy on CloudyNights did a DIY version (even used SkySafari as the charting app.)
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/644024-pswai-a-diy-plate-solved-push-to-for-visual-astronomy/
Hi Bentley, we (Simulation Curriculum) developed the app for Celestron. It is based on SkySafari but includes new features such as plate solving and a simpler UI. At this time we don't have plans to bring it to SkySafari. It does work very well and there is a sense of 'magic' when you use it ;)
Thanks for the response. So ... is Celestron planning to offer an upgrade to the simplified SkySafari (containing plate solving) app that will include the functionality of ,say, Sky Safari Pro?
Hi Bentley, there are no immediate plans at this time to offer an upgrade to include the functionality of SkySafari Pro. However, I imagine that as this technology makes its way into other Celestron products, additional functionality might be added. Stay tuned...
Hello Pedro, Thank you for responding. So ... does the simplified Celestron/Sky Safari app have the ability to connect to a WIFI mount? If so, is the GOTO function available?
Another question. How often is the platesolving function in the celestron app executed? Is it only done for alignment at the start of the session or does it realign with every object that is targeted?
StarSense Explorer does a plate solve every 10 seconds or sooner if you move the mount to a new position. A plate solve can take as little as 1 second to complete.
Thank you for the response. Seems as if the functionality of interfacing between the Celestron plate solving and Sky Safari are a given. Have you guys considered offering this as a paid add-on to Sky Safari?