2326 replies to this topic

[tarbat]

https://www.cloudyni...wo-seestar-s50/

To continue the previous thread about the new ZWO Seestar S50 EAA telescope, that unfortunately got locked due to being hijacked.

 

Latest update today from ZWO on their Q&A section confirms that DITHERING is being implemented.

QUOTE:

Do you have any plan to add dithering option in the app to reduce walking noise effect? Thanks.

Support_02 – June 19, 2023:
Hi Al, yes it’s on the way!

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by tarbat, 19 June 2023 - 10:36 AM.

[Jethro7]

Hello Tarbat,

It is good to know that ZWO, is listening. I am still hoping for the ability to use other filter options. I know and understand that ZWO, can't include everything that I would desire in the Seestar S50, at the $399.00 USD price point. I still have hopes that ZWO's inclusions are just enough to keep the more experienced Astro Hobbyist entertained.  Hopefully Waiting for the August ETA. 

 

HAPPY SKIE AND KEEP LOOKING UP. Jethro

 

P.S. Thanks for the thread restart.

Edited by Jethro7, 19 June 2023 - 01:33 PM.

[Bahtinov Ranger]

It is also very reassuring to see this response considering the field of view of the Seestar S50 from their Q&A.

 

"Hi Tommy, you’re right. With the 1/2.8″ IMX 462 sensor size and a focal length of 250mm, M31 will not be fully fit in the photo. Panorama mode with mosaic capture is included in our roadmap. Our goal is to implement this exciting feature in future iterations of the app, providing users with the ability to create stunning panoramic images."

[GTXJackBauer]

https://www.cloudyni...wo-seestar-s50/

To continue the previous thread about the new ZWO Seestar S50 EAA telescope, that unfortunately got locked due to being hijacked.

 

Latest update today from ZWO on their Q&A section confirms that DITHERING is being implemented.

QUOTE:

Do you have any plan to add dithering option in the app to reduce walking noise effect? Thanks.

Support_02 – June 19, 2023:
Hi Al, yes it’s on the way!

 

Was there any testing for Bortle 8/9 or this mainly for darker skies?

[tarbat]

Was there any testing for Bortle 8/9 or this mainly for darker skies?

I understand that the two beta testers are under fairly dark skies, so likely not Bortle 8-9.

[jprideaux]

I understand that the two beta testers are under fairly dark skies, so likely not Bortle 8-9.

My own testing (not with Seestar but with similar different scopes) is that it is possible with enough stacking to do fairly well in more light-polluted areas but there is really no substitute to getting to dark skies. My home skies are bortle 7 and I have found that I need to stack for about 3 times as long to get somewhat similar results than what I can get if I drive out to bortle 3 skies. It kind-of depends on what quality image you are after. For some things, there is no substitute for getting to darker skies. For other things, you can do “good enough” by just imaging longer from more light-polluted skies. One benefit for small, light scopes like the Seestar is how easy it is to throw in the car and drive an hour to a darker place to use.

Edited by jprideaux, 20 June 2023 - 11:08 AM.

[Phishin_phool]

This has me intrigued. I know it is no substitute for my dedicated set-up with diffetent refractors and a RASA8 on an eq mount with cooling but for a price point of $399 I went ahead and pre-ordered. This is small and portable enough to be of interest and for friends and family more interesting and accessible than my "NASA Mission Control" that they refer to as my normal set-up. Zwo making it this accessible had better worry Vaonis.

[Phishin_phool]

Reading the Q&A on ZWO page I was glad to see this in response to a question about filters (along with plans to implement mosaic mode).

 

 

HI Gejza, we intend to include three built-in filters (dark, UV/IR cut and probably a dual narrowband filter) controlled by a filter switching device inside the Seestar. There is also an add-on option to attach a custom made solar filter onto Seestar’s front lense. With a 50mm aperture, Seestar S50 can be equipped with our custom accessories to fit standard 2 inch filters, providing users with a wider range of options to meet one’s specific needs.

Edited by Phishin_phool, 20 June 2023 - 11:12 PM.

[tarbat]

 A really helpful answer today from ZWO Support on which of the rumoured extra features are being seriously considered by ZWO for inclusion in the Seestar app:

1. Dithering
   Yes, soon to be updated. Expected in 2-3 months
    
2. Mosaic mode
   Yes, future iterations.
    
3. Manual focus
   Yes, future iterations.
    
4. Manual slewing & goto
   Yes, future iterations.
    
5. Use of the ASiair app as an “expert” mode of operation
   APP Expert mode in future.

[JAC8]

I sure look forward to seeing #3 and #4 in future SeeStar models.

 

It is great to see ZWO being responsive to Beta Testers AND Beta Testers active in these Forums ! Can't thank you all enough !

I am very excited about getting mine, sometime this year.

And, it would be great if there was a Version 2, like most everything ZWO does, and maybe incorporating more stuff we astronomy enthusiasts are hoping for. Still, IMO the SeeStar 50 looks to be a Top Astro item this year.

[GTXJackBauer]

 

 A really helpful answer today from ZWO Support on which of the rumoured extra features are being seriously considered by ZWO for inclusion in the Seestar app:

1. Dithering
   Yes, soon to be updated. Expected in 2-3 months
    
2. Mosaic mode
   Yes, future iterations.
    
3. Manual focus
   Yes, future iterations.
    
4. Manual slewing & goto
   Yes, future iterations.
    
5. Use of the ASiair app as an “expert” mode of operation
   APP Expert mode in future.

 

 

I was about to post about the Panorama feature but you beat me to it.  Boy that list looks glorious!

 

This thing is itching closer to a Vespera at a third of the price.  Love it!

 

 

Putting in a preorder as we speak.

Edited by GTXJackBauer, 22 June 2023 - 10:38 PM.

[tarbat]

Good to see ZWO confirm that a duo-band filter will be fitted to the ZWO Seestar S50.

https://m.facebook.c...00091922029093 

 

QUOTE:

”Important Announcement! Seestar S50 now features Duo-Band Filter! We have listened to the suggestions of avid astrophotography enthusiasts and, taking into account the majority of users residing in light-polluted areas, we have added a Duo-Band Filter to the built-in features of Seestar (with bandwidths of OIII 30nm/Ha 20nm). You can manually switch the light pollution filter within the app.

The Duo-Band Filter offers exceptional light pollution reduction capabilities, significantly suppressing the background sky glow in urban areas. It is the optimal choice for capturing deep-sky astrophotography in city environments.

We are delighted to share comparison sample images of the M8 taken with Seestar before and after using the Duo-Band Filter:
P1: Before using the Duo-Band Filter
P2: After using the Duo-Band Filter
P3: The Duo-Band Filter curve chart”

Edited by tarbat, 29 June 2023 - 07:05 AM.

[eyeoftexas]

Good to see ZWO confirm that a duo-band filter will be fitted to the ZWO Seestar S50.

https://m.facebook.c...00091922029093 

 

QUOTE:

”Important Announcement! Seestar S50 now features Duo-Band Filter! We have listened to the suggestions of avid astrophotography enthusiasts and, taking into account the majority of users residing in light-polluted areas, we have added a Duo-Band Filter to the built-in features of Seestar (with bandwidths of OIII 30nm/Ha 20nm). You can manually switch the light pollution filter within the app.

The Duo-Band Filter offers exceptional light pollution reduction capabilities, significantly suppressing the background sky glow in urban areas. It is the optimal choice for capturing deep-sky astrophotography in city environments.

We are delighted to share comparison sample images of the M8 taken with Seestar before and after using the Duo-Band Filter:
P1: Before using the Duo-Band Filter
P2: After using the Duo-Band Filter
P3: The Duo-Band Filter curve chart”

Thanks for sharing the update. This and the list of five additions previously posted makes the S50 even more attractive. 

[Jethro7]

Good to see ZWO confirm that a duo-band filter will be fitted to the ZWO Seestar S50.

https://m.facebook.c...00091922029093 

 

QUOTE:

”Important Announcement! Seestar S50 now features Duo-Band Filter! We have listened to the suggestions of avid astrophotography enthusiasts and, taking into account the majority of users residing in light-polluted areas, we have added a Duo-Band Filter to the built-in features of Seestar (with bandwidths of OIII 30nm/Ha 20nm). You can manually switch the light pollution filter within the app.

The Duo-Band Filter offers exceptional light pollution reduction capabilities, significantly suppressing the background sky glow in urban areas. It is the optimal choice for capturing deep-sky astrophotography in city environments.

We are delighted to share comparison sample images of the M8 taken with Seestar before and after using the Duo-Band Filter:
P1: Before using the Duo-Band Filter
P2: After using the Duo-Band Filter
P3: The Duo-Band Filter curve chart”

 

Thanks for sharing the update. This and the list of five additions previously posted makes the S50 even more attractive. 

BIG + 1

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

[Wildetelescope]

So, those images look very nice.  One thing that stands out to me is the lack of CA on saturated stars.  I have to begin to wonder how they intend to stay at the 500 dollar price point, and what compromises they are making to do so.  Not trying to be negative,(I have one on order).  Just curious.   What do the beta testers have to say about the mount part of the setup.  Tracking, gotos, etc….  Just curious.  

 

JMD 

[rgk901]

the price is what it is to basically remove any competitors or as many as possible from the market place...zwo basically cornered the camera market...now just making sure the robotic side is covered

standard business practice...

[Bahtinov Ranger]

On the FB group, TJ said that the prototype they are testing are obsolete, as it does not have this functionality in it. He is quite happy with focus and go to functionality so far. I believe Simon (one of the beta testers) used an L-enhance filter and have had great results, and

I for one am quite happy with this addition considering I am in an urban area of Bortle 8/9. 

So, those images look very nice.  One thing that stands out to me is the lack of CA on saturated stars.  I have to begin to wonder how they intend to stay at the 500 dollar price point, and what compromises they are making to do so.  Not trying to be negative,(I have one on order).  Just curious.   What do the beta testers have to say about the mount part of the setup.  Tracking, gotos, etc….  Just curious.  

 

JMD 

[JMW]

I just place an order from Agena Astro for the Seestar S50. I have a very nice AP 1100GTO with abosolute encoders and the ASI6200M camera with filter wheel and great refractors. I only bring the full imaging rig when I am setting up for a multi-night star party such as GSSP or OSP. We have a travel trailer and bring a DM6 and AZ100 to support 3 scopes for visual on a lot of trips where we are setting up and taking down the gear each night because we are moving on each day. The Seestar S50 will be a tool we can use under very dark skies when we wish to do some casual imaging to take advantage of the dark skies but don't have the large and heavy full imaging rig with us. 

 

It will also to be fun to bring on trips where we fly to Hawaii or the southern hemisphere and would like to capture some images of targets unavailable to places in the 48 states.

[unimatrix0]

So, those images look very nice.  One thing that stands out to me is the lack of CA on saturated stars.  I have to begin to wonder how they intend to stay at the 500 dollar price point, and what compromises they are making to do so.  Not trying to be negative,(I have one on order).  Just curious.   What do the beta testers have to say about the mount part of the setup.  Tracking, gotos, etc….  Just curious.  

 

JMD 

Are we looking at the same images?  There is plenty of CA (blue stars) on those images. The narrowband filters of course is better, because the duo narrowband limits the blue and around the blue spectrum mostly. 

 

I wish ZWO would make these posts on their developer blog or similar, instead of going to facebook, which already compresses the images more than needs to. 

 

Here, I downloaded what they posted. 

 

Without duo narrowband (plenty of chromatic aberrations, as it would with a doublet)

 

 

 

 

With duo narrowband filter. 

 

The narrowband will reduce or eliminate the CA as it should. 

 

Regardless, this is really not bad at all for that tiny thing. But again, the image is a fairly bright nebula, probably will do well with the mostly bright DSOs, not sure how well it handle fainter ones. 

With broadband imaging though (galaxies, clusters, reflection nebulae) the CA will be very obvious, but at this price point it is expected. 

Edited by unimatrix0, 05 July 2023 - 01:16 PM.

[eyeoftexas]

 

 

Without duo narrowband (plenty of chromatic aberrations, as it would with a doublet)

 

 

 

But the Seestar is advertised as a triplet. 

[unimatrix0]

But the Seestar is advertised as a triplet. 

Ok then. Then it's a cheap triplet.

Has to be. To fit everything in that price they are gonna sell this for. 

My cheapest 30mm guider (triplet) costs $300 and I don't get CA with that, so it has to be even a cheaper one, I guess. 

[eyeoftexas]

Ok then. Then it's a cheap triplet.

Has to be. To fit everything in that price they are gonna sell this for. 

My cheapest 30mm guider (triplet) costs $300 and I don't get CA with that, so it has to be even a cheaper one, I guess. 

You would think they would just go with a doublet then. 

[wrightflyer]

Ok then. Then it's a cheap triplet.

Has to be. To fit everything in that price they are gonna sell this for. 

My cheapest 30mm guider (triplet) costs $300 and I don't get CA with that, so it has to be even a cheaper one, I guess. 

From:

 

https://astronomy-im...ct/zwo-seestar/

 

 

Edited by wrightflyer, 06 July 2023 - 06:42 AM.

[unimatrix0]

I understand what a triplet is.  Webpage doing big words "apochromatic triplet"  and 3D drawings "won't change my opinion if the results I see tell me different. 

 They can make the best 3D animation ever and all sorts of timelapse and add more techno-babble, none will change my opinon if the final image show unusually high chromatic aberration. 

[GTXJackBauer]

Found a video here about the ZWO Seestar S50.