eVscope, a new real time EAA dedicated scope?

[cuivenion]

Has anyone come across this yet:

http://www.space.com/35236-evscope-enhanced-vision-telescope-ces2017.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=socialfbspc&cmpid=social_spc_514630

"The Enhanced Vision Telescope (eVscope) uses optics and electronics to increase celestial objects' brightness in the eyepiece in real time, according to representatives of Unistellar, the French startup behind the instrument. The eVscope is being shown this week at the CES 2017 tech showcase in Las Vegas. You can see the latest news from CES 2017 here from our sister site Tom's Guide."

It looks interesting. The real time claim especially, as this means that tracking accuracy wouldn't be as much of an issue. Here's the product website, let me know what you think!

http://www.unistellaroptics.com/en/product

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Is it me, or is this just a variant either of video astronomy, or do they use an image intensifier that could be stuck in any scope. In either case, as long as the input photon count doesn't go up, the signal-to-noise ratio will stay the same (or worsen, assuming additional noise in the system, an as long as aperture stays the same, resolving power stays the same

[cuivenion]

The example with M27 does look very detailed but there is a lot of info missing on how they get that image. If that image in the eyepiece is realtime or near to it, I'm impressed. I'm not familiar with image intensfiers unfortunatley. They are making some grand claims, it'll be interesting to see how it turns out.

[BeerMe]

When I read about it earlier I had assumed that they were simply using a tracking system to detect what your scope is pointing at, then just gave a digital rendering of it using a software like Stellarium or SkEye, through a specialist EP.

Either way, it looks kinda 'gamey' to me and I'd be hoping the actual optics were up to scratch so that you'd still have good views with the electronics switched off.

[cuivenion]

From what they're saying on the site it uses some sort of light amplification. They could do with being more forthcoming about the specs of the actual scope definitley.

[Thalestris24]

Looks like it uses some sort of live stacking. They probably achieve it through keeping the actual images very small and magnifying via the eyepiece lens. It's not clear if it actually exists yet! I'd take their advertising blurb with a pinch of salt!

Louise

[PeterW]

Appears to be an integrating CCD camera, so it could deal with some tracking errors and altaz field rotation. No details on the sensor or any other real experiences. I am waIting for an amateur to get their eye through one (demos in CES, San Francisco and Marseille). Then we can know more about how it performs and how it fits with what we already have.

it does exist, they have a prototype. It makes its own images and can overlay info from the web as it works out where it is pointing. They also mention getting people to look for asteroids as part of an international effort, which the OpenSpaceAgency was hoping to do.

my concerns are field of view and human interface, be more than happy to help beta test one. There was some talk about kickstarter funding, but without some real world experience and evidence I am not sure how many people would be happy to put up the money?

 

Hoping that this works out well and performs as intended, they have French venture funds so it is definitely not just a dream.

 

Peter

PS it is not an image intensifier, those work very nicely and give a realtime view that can be used on any scope, though they prefer FAST optics and filters help enhance the view and reduce light pollution.... and the view is (almost always) green and slightly noisy.

[cuivenion]

That sounds more hopeful. I'll be keeping an interested eye on it.

[PeterW]

I am keen for them to get prototypes into some experienced amateur hands and to get some unbiased opinions out there and see how the product can be made better and made as economically as possible, so there is a chance of it becoming available more widely. 

 

Peter

[nicks90]

I've just had a message through about this Kickstarter and it now lists some specs on the image sensor

 

[cuivenion]

Certainly looks impressive.

[RobertI]

Looks like there is another one on the horizon:

https://comingsoon-tech.com/projects/hiuni-motorized-telescope

[PeterW]

Just seen that thanks to Facebook. 2 cameras this time, but field of view smaller for the main one and a longer focal ratio. Seem to have worked on a concept and apps more than the actual hardware, unlike evscope. We will have to see how it develops.

Peter