62 replies to this topic

[Larry G]

I understand that soon (this month) a smart eyepiece will be introduced by Pegasus Astro (SmartEye).

There is some information on it at their website. Seems that it can combine - visual, EAA, and some astrophotography in one unit.

Actual live stacking in the eyepiece that render images  in color, that also can be displayed on another device and even saved for 

further processing. Will be interesting to find out more.

[Jethro7]

Hello Larry,

Sounds interesting. There is already a topic started about this eyepiece here on CN.

 

Here is the link.

https://www.cloudyni...ronic-eyepiece/

 

KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

Edited by Jethro7, 06 April 2024 - 11:17 PM.

[Ernest_SPB]

It seem to be a topic for "Night Vision Astronomy"

[ziggeman]

This is exactly what member Skysurfer suggested a few years ago in the review of Unistellar.

Smart guy.

https://www.cloudyni...ope/?p=11232684

Edited by ziggeman, 07 April 2024 - 02:55 AM.

[Sarkikos]

Here's a link to the SmartEye:  https://pegasusastro...ducts/smarteye/

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 07 April 2024 - 06:11 AM.

[Ernest_SPB]

It is interesting, how much is the eyepiece smart? Smart enough to download from Internet image of "observed" object?.. 

Edited by Ernest_SPB, 07 April 2024 - 08:55 AM.

[Battlestamps]

Also how $$$?

[Bill Weir]

To me what you are describing sounds like a fancy or maybe even not webcam.

 

Bill

[Alex.C]

I don't want a smart eyepiece that does EAA and stacks the view for me. I want a smart eyepiece that does plate solving and *narrates* the view for me!

An AI eyepiece that can tell me what I'm looking at, give me the latest scientific data on it, and maybe even go into its cultural history and significance - all while I'm observing.

Basically the LLM ghost of Robert Burnham, with the most current knowledge at his disposal, living right there in my eyepiece or telescope, ready to whisper the secrets of the night sky in my Bluetooth headphones whenever I ask him to.

[rdjamieson]

I am sure there are observers who will get a kick out of this eyepiece, but I don’t think I’m one of them.  Call me a rejectionist Luddite, but I prefer the photon-to-eyeball experience, even with the limitations of human sight.  Plus, unless you have a polar aligned GEM or field derotator, won’t the pixel stacking (or whatever it is doing) cause the resulting “enhanced” image to blur?

[ziggeman]

I don't want a smart eyepiece that does EAA and stacks the view for me. I want a smart eyepiece that does plate solving and *narrates* the view for me!

An AI eyepiece that can tell me what I'm looking at, give me the latest scientific data on it, and maybe even go into its cultural history and significance - all while I'm observing.

Basically the LLM ghost of Robert Burnham, with the most current knowledge at his disposal, living right there in my eyepiece or telescope, ready to whisper the secrets of the night sky in my Bluetooth headphones whenever I ask him to.

Maybe a modern version of Meade audiostar? But eyepiece instead of Handcontrol.

 

https://youtu.be/-QK...9g5nbPsbGfBFSFf

 

There are still used audiostar handcontrollers for sale

Edited by ziggeman, 08 April 2024 - 09:08 AM.

[archer1960]

I am sure there are observers who will get a kick out of this eyepiece, but I don’t think I’m one of them.  Call me a rejectionist Luddite, but I prefer the photon-to-eyeball experience, even with the limitations of human sight.  Plus, unless you have a polar aligned GEM or field derotator, won’t the pixel stacking (or whatever it is doing) cause the resulting “enhanced” image to blur?

I guess the amount of motion blurring would depend on how long they stack for. I personally might not get much out of this, but I have some friends who would probably love using it. Any idea what the price will be?

[Starman1]

It seems like it would only be usable in scopes that track, and preferably equatorially-mounted so the field doesn't rotate, unless the device derotates the images when stacking.

[Sarkikos]

It is interesting, how much is the eyepiece smart? Smart enough to download from Internet image of "observed" object?.. 

Smart like fox. 

 

Mike

[Sarkikos]

I don't want a smart eyepiece that does EAA and stacks the view for me. I want a smart eyepiece that does plate solving and *narrates* the view for me!

An AI eyepiece that can tell me what I'm looking at, give me the latest scientific data on it, and maybe even go into its cultural history and significance - all while I'm observing.

Basically the LLM ghost of Robert Burnham, with the most current knowledge at his disposal, living right there in my eyepiece or telescope, ready to whisper the secrets of the night sky in my Bluetooth headphones whenever I ask him to.

No, I'd have to draw the line at an eyepiece that talks to me.  When I got my first iPhone, the first thing I did was shut off Siri.  What an irritating yenta.    I never use the narrative descriptions on SkySafari, either.  

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 08 April 2024 - 01:21 PM.

[Sarkikos]

If I have to get an equatorial mount to optimize the SmartEye, I'm out!   I don't like GEMs.  

 

Mike

[rdjamieson]

If I have to get an equatorial mount to optimize the SmartEye, I'm out!   I don't like GEMs.  

 

Mike

I am too dumb and too lazy for GEMs.

[Sarkikos]

I am too dumb and too lazy for GEMs.

I am not too stupid - just stupid enough - though I do tend to be lazy.     

 

But there are many other reasons not to like GEMs:  they are heavier than comparable alt-az mounts, you have to deal with counterweights, polar alignment, unnatural movements for human beings, often taller than I like, and they put you in uncomfortable positions for visual with Newtonians.  Even for refractors and Cats for visual, you have to keep rotating the diagonal in the focuser. 

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 08 April 2024 - 02:50 PM.

[rdjamieson]

I am not too stupid - just stupid enough - though I do tend to be lazy.     

 

But there are many other reasons not to like GEMs:  they are heavier than comparable alt-az mounts, you have to deal with counterweights, polar alignment, unnatural movements for human beings, often taller than I like, and they put you in uncomfortable positions for visual with Newtonians.  Even for refractors and Cats for visual, you have to keep rotating the diagonal in the focuser. 

 

Mike

Yeah, what you said!  Now I feel better about myself.

[Ray Rankins]

Also how $$$?

According to the rep I spoke to at NEAF on Sunday, it's expected to sell for around $1500 and should be available around the end of the year.

[Ray Rankins]

It seems like it would only be usable in scopes that track, and preferably equatorially-mounted so the field doesn't rotate, unless the device derotates the images when stacking.

According to the FAQ on their site (https://smarteyepiec...asked-questions) it will handle field rotation for Alt-Az mounts. 

[Starman1]

According to the FAQ on their site (https://smarteyepiec...asked-questions) it will handle field rotation for Alt-Az mounts. 

Great.  How does it handle the need for multiple magnifications?

[bobhen]

Great.  How does it handle the need for multiple magnifications?

Probably like a smart phone camera. From the FAQs page on their site...

 

Can you zoom in/out on objects in the SmartEye display?

 

"Yes, SmartEye facilitates zooming in and out on objects displayed on its screen through its intuitive menu system, providing users with detailed views of celestial objects."

 

Bob

[bobhen]

Low-cost cameras for short exposure EAA, a smart digital eyepiece, image intensifiers for night vision observing and complete, very reasonably priced smart telescopes; that is the future of amateur astronomy.

 

As time marches on, most astro-tech solutions will get less expensive or have more capability for the same price. The next generation of amateurs will embrace the new astro-tech just as easily as they embrace other technologies.

 

This is not a bad thing, it's just a different thing.

 

With light pollution increasing, these astro-tech solutions are a way of engaging more, young astronomers.

 

Bob

[dan_h]

Low-cost cameras for short exposure EAA, a smart digital eyepiece, image intensifiers for night vision observing and complete, very reasonably priced smart telescopes; that is the future of amateur astronomy.

 

As time marches on, most astro-tech solutions will get less expensive or have more capability for the same price. The next generation of amateurs will embrace the new astro-tech just as easily as they embrace other technologies.

 

This is not a bad thing, it's just a different thing.

 

With light pollution increasing, these astro-tech solutions are a way of engaging more, young astronomers.

 

Bob

I think it's great that we are finally getting some equipment that can observe by itself.   No need for me to waste hours peering into an eyepiece.

 

dan