paulastro

Observed from around 11pm on March 29th to 2.30am on 30th. Fairly transparent, some couds and haze and gibbous Moon rising.

Pics taken with Seestar S50.

1  Comet 62P Tsuchinsha, quite faint, m12.9 according to SkySafari.  2     M52,  3 IC5070   4 M100 with fainter galaxies nearby,  5 NGC 7000,  6  Moon just risen in the E.

On 03/08/2023 at 08:54, Carbon Brush said:

@Zermelo has raised an important point.
As we age our ability to discern detail at low light level declines considerably.
I was told by an optician that by age 60 we have 1/3 the night vision of age 20.
So aperture will brighten an object to help compensate for old eyes.

 

I'm even more pleased I've bought a Seestar having read this 😅.

I'm really getting fed up with how this thread has been hijacked by pages and pages from traditional  imagers  moaning that people actual have the temerity to  buy an S50 and even enjoy using it!  Shock/horror we don't all want to do what they are doing instead!

As Seestar users we shouldn't feel  we have to justify what we are doing and why.

It used to be a forum for exchanges of information, images and developments in the software etc for Seestars users.  Where users could encourage each other and enhance their own skills and knowledge.

Where someone new comes and looks at the forum now they must wonder what on earth is going  on and probably look elsewhere if they actually want to have some encouragement and help.

I'm considering 'unfollowing' the forum as almost every time I open a post it's not what I want to read about.

I'm surprised that the moderators haven't taken a look at it.

4 hours ago, Oortraged said:

Heya folks, it has been an interesting read catching up with this thread since ordering, receiving, and having had chance to spend about a month with the S50!

I hope you don't mind me shifting direction of the thread with a brief observing report from tonight. Was thrilled to have some clear skies, and have chance to take some images to share with loved ones. 

So, I'll start with the best image of the evening! M51. I have a little postage stamp of a garden, that faces roughly NNE. Weather report seemed to show that trying to get out into the wild tonight would have been touch and go, so this and all the rest come from my Bortle 4 garden. M51 shows 53 minutes of data in the time stamp. This took about 2 hours to collect in reality, with some high level cloud and star trailing issues confounding the S50 stacking more. I have the raw frames for the whole evening though, and look forward to learning how to process them

Next best image of the evening was M97. There are some star trailing artefacts on this image, but once again its just the live stack from the S50. Targets were few and far between in the garden tonight, and almost all of then at or close to zenith. Obviously a challenge for any device only moving in 2 axis in a fixed alt az set up. 

I already had 1 hour of data on M81, but some forum trawling  showed me I had missed a trick, and could have got M82 into the frame as well. Well, I've had a week of rain to ruminate on my failing there! Alas, both objects soon eluded the gaze of the scope, flanked, as they are, by the neighbours houses! I have to say, as short on data as it is, and how bad the framing may be, I love the composition of this shot.

And now, moving progressively from bad to awful, may I introduce you to my attempt at M108. I'd hoped to be able to get enough of this for a friend, who is a keen surfer, to make a birthday card. Even with cropping, I don't think I'll get something satisfactory! The field rotation is pretty impressive for how truncated the data collection was - but at least I caught some photons

Finally, a very tiny set of 6 x 10 second subs on M94. This was enough to notice the streetlight next to it ruining the attempt! 

All told, 6 of the Messier objects on an evening where the forecast made me sure it wasn't worth going out. I completely understand that the S50 isn't a device that will please everyone (and indeed, does such a thing exist?). To offer an analogy, however: I enjoy balancing the carbs on my VFR400. And my enjoyment of doing so is in no way diminished by the fact that others enjoy riding fuel injected bikes.

Clear skies all,

Ryan

On the contrary, I'm delighted to see an observing report on this forum.  

Lately it's been  hijacked by a few people (mostly traditional imagers with extensive kit) telling folks who are using  and enjoying the S50  that we don't know what we are doing and wasting our money.

It's the best waste of money Ive ever spent 😊.

Anyway thanks for your post, it shows what can be done in difficult and trying conditions.

54 minutes ago, LDW1 said:

I watched Ed's vid one more time and there is no doubt in my mind that the complainers about it did not listen to what he was saying in his review !  There wasn't one derogatory remark about anyone owning the SS just an honest general analysis of what you had and its capabilities vs value, at this point in time and he also pointed out several times that at some point, but not now, these developers / manufacturers will get to a stage where conventional AP will become a back seat rider but not now !  Ed was / is right on the $'s and he did it in a nice, gentle and fun sort of way but todays crowd of no it all astronomers just don't like to be told, unfortunately !   PS:  Even though I own 2 SS's and had a DII he is absolutely correct but like many I want to play with them now and Ed says he appreciates that, if you listen closely !  PPS:  While I am waiting for better !

It doesn't mean because some people disagree with your point of view that  they are ' part of today's crowd of know it all astronomers  (who) just don't like to be told ufortunately! '.  The fact you have resorted to such insults does no credit to yourself or your arguments.  

Taken at 8.25 pm. Poor conditions, but shows some interesting tail detail.

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/385898-what-did-you-see-tonight/page/215/#comment-4472982

I went to Penistone Hill Country Park again as it has a better horizon to see 12P/Pons-Brooks.

They all the same pic with a couple of quick enhancements using  the camera phones software to bring out some of the detail in the tail. 

Time and exposure at bottom of pictures.

Pic with the Seestar S50.

2 hours ago, Elp said:

Perhaps some people are apprehensive about doing it themselves but I agree. You can put together a camera lens EQ setup for around 1000-1500 or so.

What I don't understand is that together with a traditional telescope setup they own, people are happy to spend 500 to "dabble or explore" but not put a little more investment into their current setup to achieve the same or better which will likely be used for longer. You don't necessarily need driven axis, just add a flip mirror to a scope, planetary camera, link to a computer and keep to short exposures you can do similar (goto you'd have to do yourself), if you've already got a goto mount well you're in a better position.

You can't argue with the ease that these "smart" scopes offer which is a large part of their appeal, the low cost of entry for the SS is the kicker which Ed seemed to gloss over though justified it slightly by suggesting to wait for a better one, some people cannot wait though either due to impulse or life circumstances.

For me, I see the appeal and it was the best product announced at NEAF last year, but I don't need one due to what I have already. The only reason that would sway me for the current model is convenience which other people have mentioned. The product has too many good things going for it to outweigh any negatives, but I agree with what may happen to existing models when a newer model comes along, it's already happened with the asiairs when older ones became readily available on secondary markets when the pro/plus/mini came out as people got rid of the old to get the new, but I guess this happens with any items, not just the Seestar.

What a bargain, the 'L' bracket alone is sold for £26 in some places!  A shame I already have one 😊.

21 minutes ago, Geoff Lister said:

I think that we are back to the old adage Your best telescope is the one you use. In the last 3 months, given the variable weather in the south-west of England, for me, it has been my Seestar and Dwarf II. Easy to set up, quick to get going, and quick to get back under cover when (not if) it starts raining. Probably slightly more Seestar than Dwarf, but sometimes both together.

If I can rely on a clear evening, then it is worth getting out the 10" Dob, but, given the narrow time and altitude window for comet 12P, there was no contest.

Geoff

It's the same for me since I came out of hospital in early January.  My 10 inch has not been used, my Askar 103 triplet twice and my seestar seven or eight times - and that doesn't include a few solar sessions.  All because of the weather.

23 minutes ago, Elp said:

Here's a question. If the SS as it is cost 1000 would it be so popular? The low cost of entry is one of its main selling points, and possibly a previous barrier to those who'd like to image but hadn't taken the steps.

I wouldn't have bought mine if it had been £1,000.  Firstly because I wasn't 100% certain if if it would be as good as all the hype (it turned out to be better than I expected!), and secondly I would have been reluctant to pay a grand for an electronic device which may soon be superceeded by a better and cheaper version.

As it turned out, the S50 could be all I ever want in terms of imaging, unless they bring out a clearly superior model for around the same price as the S50.  Even then, I may not be tempted. 

So in my case, Eds view that it would be best to have waited is not true!

7 hours ago, Richard N said:

I suspect Ed might be regretting his review. He’s getting a lot of pushback in the comments. 

So he should in my view.  I've always respected Ed and liked his reviews.  I will say though in this case he made it clear from the start he didn't like the S50, and then did everything he could to rubbish it.

As others have said,  he completely missed the point of it to the degree that I feel he must have known what he was doing.   Comparing the unprocessed S50 images with those of processed pics with setups costing many times the price was plainly misleading.

I've been a visual observer for over fifty years, and bought one because its amazingly cheap for what it does with the least effort.  I am delighted with the quality of the images it produces whilst knowing  its limitations and don't need anything better. 

Also, heading toward my 70th year with heart difficulties, I won't be following Ed's advice and be sitting on my hands waiting  for technology to improve  and prices to possibly  fall further.

I'm sorry Ed, but this is not one of  your finest moments.

Last evening I went to Penistone Hill Country Park to attempt to see the predicted aurora.  No aurora alas, but I did take my Seestar S50 for its first field trip.  I did manage an image of 12P/Pons-Brooks.  Also I took one of the Orion Neb to see what the S50 could perform on a night with theMoon 99% illuminated.  There was also a fair amount of haze. Being a non- imager I was pleasantly surprised.  The comet was 8 mts exposure and M42, 60 mts.

Also the show was great if you wanted to save £50 on the Seestar S50 - they were flying out the door.  Zoom in on the notice slung uderneath the Askar 185! 

Single frame taken at 8.12pm from Penistone Country Park with my Seestar S50.

 MARCH 24TH.  Took this single frame of 12P Pons-Brook at 20.12pm from Penistone Country Park, five minutes drive from where I live.  Went there to view the aurora, but alas it didnt happen.  While waiting I took this with my Seestar S50.

I went to Penistone Hill Country Park 5mts drive from where I live and was there from 7.30 to about 9.50pm.  Mostly clear skies, some haze and the 99.9% Moon of course.  No sign of any auroral activity at this time. I met a lady and her mum who were members of a local aurora group. They showed me the extent of the auroral oval and we were a little S of the green bit.

Stu  strong auroral possibilities as darkness falls this evening reported - check out spaceweather and other sites inc SGL.  

Large sunspot AR3615 is on the CM and its very complex and active.  Probably naked eye,(WITH SUITABLE FILTER!)  Forecast aurora activity in the early hours tomorrow morning too.  

Single frame below taken at at 11.07 today withSeestar S50.

UPDATE Indications are auroral activity could be as soon as it gets dark anywhere in the UK. 

7 hours ago, mikeDnight said:

Underwhelming is being kind. I have to say I found the venue and the number of vendors somewhat disappointing. Even the food on offer wasn't what we've been used to, with dry bread with either fatty bacon or the healthier sausage option. I had sausage on a dry bap with what I think was coffee.  That aside, I had chance to meet up with saganite (Steve), who may not be heard from again once his dearly beloved finds out what he's bought. And Alan W and paulastro was there too, making up a small group of SGLers.

I did manage to buy a couple of eyepieces I've been after for a while. Now I have the full range! And also joined the Society for the History of Astronomy, and received a nice welcome pack, a hand full of free magazines and I also bought a couple of second hand books that caught my eye.

Well grumps, I enjoyed travelling  down with yourself and Keith 😊.  Thanks for doing the driving.

I met a couple of  friends from  London and Northampton I have known for at least thirty years and a friend from The Astronomy Centre I haven't seen for a while as I was incapacitated before a couple of medical procedures in December and January. 

I bought three books and some free mags from The Sciety for the History of Astronomy  and renewed my subs, and bought the 2024 Handbook from the BAA stand.

Also I had recently advertised on SGL and astrobuysell for a used copy of the 4th volume of the Kepple Guides to the Night Sky, 'The Glories of the Milky Way.' Its out of print and used copies are advertised for up to £160.  I didn't get any responses to my ads.

Speaking to Owen Brazil on the Webb Society stand I asked him if he had actually ever seen a copy - I hadn't.  Owen turned round, picked up a new copy of it off the sales table and said 'do you mean this?'   What luck!!!  it was a lone copy that had been bundled in with an order from the publishers in the USA.  What joy.  This alone made my whole trip worthwhile.

Also looked at lots of goodies and got my hands on the Askar 185mm triplet apo! (I have the 103 version)

I had a wonderful day 😊

11 hours ago, Geoff Lister said:

This morning, I had a look at ZWO's web site, and the Seestar S50 manual is still showing 2023-10. There have been many app/firmware updates since October 2023. A download confirmed the same size 29-page manual, and I could not spot any changes from the version I downloaded at the beginning of January. We need an update to give more details, including about the use of the "Light damage filter" (page 18 - I love these translations).

 

I had a similar problem with an early morning session. When I looked outside (instead of at the tablet's screen) it was starting to get light, with a clear blue sky, and I could not see any stars either, except light from that big one towards the eastern horizon.

Geoff

Geoff, if you fo search by pressing the search button on the top right corner of the star atlas, by each object it indicates which objects will automatically use a filter.  You can of course choose to switch on the filter for the objects where this isn't indicated.  

Edit   Just checked tis, and it will show the categories of objects when you press the search button I indicated , and you then have to use a search box at the top of this page to type in the object you are looking for.

Out this.morning from around 11 -11.45 with the Seestar, its quicker to get out than my refractors and  the cloud was building up.

There was a fair wind and I was operating it from my car and it was being well buffeted but the seestar always returned the sun to the centre of the frame.  In the end I lost my nerve in case it was blown over and so Ipacked up.

AR3165 is very complex and active and well worth observing.  Single frame below taken at 11.06 am. Info below from spaceweather.com

Patrick, thank you for starting this thread.  It so happened it was at a time I was thinking  of getting a better quality amici-prism to use on both of my refractors to use as my goto prism.  It's been useful for me and I hope I didn't  divert the thread from where you wanted to be ? apologies if I did.

I've ordered the Baader T2 90 deg Astro Amici-Prism with BBHS Coating #2456130 this morning.  I'll post my findings when I've had time to use it a few times.  Many thanks also to those who have added such helpful information to the thread.

2 hours ago, LaurenceT said:

I'm still having a struggle with my new Seestar, last night when I suddenly realized there were stars to be seen I had a go at the Flame Nebula.

I imaged for 1 hour but had so many rejections due to star trailing that I've only finished up with 5 minutes of subs.

Just to make an unfair comparison I also quickly set up my lightweight wide field kit and got an hour on the same target losing only 2 frames due to clouds. I'll do some processing later.

 

Five minutes from an hour is a poor return.  Was it a little windy, or perhaps cloud interfering or even an obstruction?  I've noticed  that they are much better at reacting to conditions than I am. Usually when I hadn't noticed  that cloud is increasing or there is some wind.  Mine doesn't usually go below at least a 2/3 success rate.  It did once stop for about  fifteen minutes and I thought it had frozen somehow or had broken down.  Re- booting it didn't work - and then I noticed it had completely clouded over where the object was!  🤔

PS  If you were using it on the small tripod it comes with, perhaps you hadn't noticed the nebula was too low to be seen by the Seestar.  I've done this as well!

No problem Mark, I had to check  back to remind myself what I had written!  😊