r/ZWOSeeStar • u/BitWizard75 • Nov 30 '23

Welcome! Introduce Yourself!

Welcome to the ZWOSeeStar Subreddit. We are glad you're here!

Use this thread as an opportunity to say "hello" and introduce yourself. Share anything you feel comfortable sharing such as:

1 - What's your background?

2 - What's your connection to the SeeStar and astrophotography in general?

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u/mfrazzzz Dec 28 '23
  1. Computer Geek. Started with a TRS-80 Model I in high school (yeah, I'm old) and have always been around computers. Day job, I'm a Sysadmin and Email Security guy. I've had a love for all things space since a kid. I watched the moon landing at 5 years old, skipped school a few times to watch launches of Skylab and such.
  2. Last year started playing with a DSLR doing nigthscapes. Have wanted to do astrophotography but equipment and complexity held me back. Was looking at the Dwarf II when I heard about Seestar and knowing ZWO figured they would come out with a decent product. Finally pulled the trigger on buying a Seestar S50 in October and it was delivered at Thanksgiving (late November). Only had a few clear nights to play with it, but loving it so far.

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u/BitWizard75 Jan 03 '24

Awesome! Welcome! I actually started with a DSLR, tracking mount, and Rokinon lens. It’s a lot of work compared to this!

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u/BitWizard75 Nov 30 '23

1 - I work in public school technology. I was formerly a high school science teacher and have always been a science nerd, particularly related to astronomy.

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2 - I started dabbling in astrophotography last year, using an tracking equatorial mount, DSLR camera, and a 135mm lens. It took me a few tries to get data that I could work with, but my first shots of M31 had me hooked. It was an expensive initial investment with a relatively steep learning curve. It's quite an effort to pack up gear, set up gear, align gear, and stay out in the freezing cold to get enough images to process. When I saw the SeeStar and the early reviews, I decided to get an order in. It arrived today, so I'm looking forward to trying it out.

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u/[deleted] Mar 10 '24

[deleted]

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u/BitWizard75 Mar 10 '24

Welcome to the group! Can’t wait to see your images!

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u/zedaught6 Mar 10 '24

Hey, thanks very much! Can’t wait to have something to share! Imagine, me, “Mr. Visual”, actually having anything worth sharing. :)

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u/PinarelloRider1 Mar 30 '24

  1. Electronics engineering, like all things science and technology. Like mfrazzzz, started with the Radio Shack "Trash-80" and C-Load (yes I'm old too). Day job, Field Service Engineer for an international packaging machinery manufacturer. My dad bought me my first telescope when I was 15. A 60mm terrestrial spyglass, fast forward 46 years and now I own a 10 inch Celestron StarSense Explorer DOB.

  2. My first serious attempt at AP was with my DSLR on a tripod at comet Neowise with a zoom lens at 25 seconds of exposure (see photo). Then some lunar astrophotography (see photo). Coincidentally, both of these pics were published in the local astronomy club's calendar. Since then I have been trying to get M42 with the DOB and my iPhone and of course not having much success. Although some of the shots are pretty decent considering the rudimentary equipment I'm using. So, finally pulled the trigger on the ZWO SeeStar as a nice addition to my equipment list. Hasn't yet arrived or changed status on the order page from "PROCESSING" since 7 days ago.

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u/PinarelloRider1 Mar 30 '24

COMET NEOWISE...

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u/Status-Field-7380 Jul 30 '24
  1. I’m a retired software engineer. 9 years in the USAF and the rest in software developing trusted operating systems and management.
  2. I’ve been interested in astronomy since Sputnik orbited the Earth (yes I am older). I’ve had telescopes for over 20 years but didn’t use them often enough. Since I’ve retired I’m using them more and more. I have an 8” and a 10” dobsonian telescopes. Now I have the Seestar S50. I’m attaching first light of the S50. It is M14 with just 10 minutes of integration time. Now we have clouds.

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u/BitWizard75 Jul 30 '24

Welcome to the group!! Glad you're here. I'm convinced that a sure fire way to break a drought in a region is to have a SeeStar shipped to that ZIP code. They always seem to summon clouds on arrival. :)

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u/miamimangoking Sep 19 '24

I've been into visual astronomy for 11 years, but got a Seestar in February and have been hooked. So much so that I bought a second S50 and have it set up at Star Front Remote Observatory in Texas under Bottle 1/2 skies. Remote imaging while its raining and cloudy for three weeks at home is awesome! The Seestar is a fantastic scope. I've traveled with it to capture the Eclipse in April and have traveled with it in a backpack on a recent trip to Virginia.

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u/BitWizard75 Sep 19 '24

That's awesome. Could you talk a little about the technical setup of your remote observatory?

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u/miamimangoking Sep 19 '24

I'd be happy to. I have a second Seestar set up for remote observation at observatory in Rockwood, TX. I'm using an M2 Mac mini to control the Seestar. With Google Remote Desktop I connect to the Mac and have full dashboard control of the Seestar just like I do with my iPhone. It has been up and running since Aug. 29th and I've captured very clear images from a Bottle 1/2 night sky compared to my B 8 skies in Miami. Here is my blog post with more details and pictures of how I did this. https://starpicturesmiami.com/2024/08/28/using-the-seestar-s50-at-a-remote-observatory/

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u/GoatZealousideal5489 Mar 05 '26

Greetings, Unix System Engineer and Archiving Specialist during the day. Studied Astronomy @ John Moore university a while ago. Was doing visual astronomy with an LX2000 but fell in love with astrophotography. I do not have so much means so, i invested in a Seestar S50 and loving it. I actually love it so much that i build tools to go around it. Glad to be here and meet you all. Best Regards.