Hello with a Seestar S50 (or two)! Introduce yourself! · Andrej Flis · ... · 6 · 235 · 1

Hello everyone!

I realized that I have been on this page for some time, but I forgot to really make a proper introduction. I am Andrej, and I am doing astro-imaging using the ZWO Seestar S50 smart telescope. I began in late February 2024, when my Seestar arrived (with no clouds, luckily), and at the same time, I also bought Pixinsight. This is my first step into the world of astrophotography and, of course, also processing. 

I got a second Seestar S50 in November, which helped to maximize all clear nights and enabled me to do some longer integration imagery. I did buy a 6" Dobsonian in 2018, so I did some visual sessions in the past and also with my Binoculars, which was a great experience from my backyard in Bortle 3/4. 
The plan is to upgrade to a proper rig eventually, but until then, I will keep pushing the Seestar S50 and learn more about this hobby. 

So this won't be a completely dull post, I will just add a random image from my latest project, which is NGC 2336, a very small galaxy for a Seestar. But I am using this target to test 30s sub-exposures in alt-az mode, as, of course, there is no better time to test stuff than during a full Moon. The image total integration is around 25 hours, but it's pure full moon data, so the data SNR is probably similar to something I would probably get in just a few hours in my normal skies with no moon.



Kind Regards

Robert Gillette:
Andrej,

I find your result amazing.  What’s your location, Bortle rating?  

Is your SeeStar just sitting on a table? On a guided mount? Other details of your data collection welcome.

CS, 

Bob Gillette 
New Hampshire US (Usually cloudy)

Hello Mr. Gillette, and thanks for the kind words. I actually use my Seestar in its default alt-az configuration on its own tripod that came in the box with the Seestar. I usually shoot from the balcony of my house, or in the backyard on a concrete surface. 

I record from Slovenia, central Europe, from a Bortle 3/4 location and 1050m (3500ft) altitude.

Kind Regards

Robert Gillette:
Ah, Slovenia! What a lovely country.  I’ve enjoyed Ljubljana, Bled and hiking in the mountains above Bohinj.

Regarding SeeStar, I suspect you’ve mastered PInsight.  I look forward to seeing your other images.

Best, Bob

Oh wow, you have been here before! Those are some very good spots indeed 

I began learning Pixinsight at the same time that I got my Seestar, so I am just 11 months now into Pixinsight and this hooby as a whole, so I think I have a lot left to learn. But thank you very much again!

Clear skies 

Terrific image, one of the best I've seen from a Seestar.

Mel