Change of Heart...

 I had decided - and stated - that I would henceforth only write about Astrophotography on my HawkASTRO Google site. After a month or so of experience of astrophotography using the Seestar S50 smart telescope, I have had a change of heart.

The original reason for deciding to only post on the HawkASTRO website was that it was realised just how complex and extensive the functions built into the two smart telescopes purchased are. It was felt that a blog - which is basically a serial documentation avenue - was not suitable for detailed technical information.

So what has caused the change of heart ?

Basically it comes from the further realisation that while documentation of such things as setup and workflows are best suited for a website, the learning progression is best suited for a blog. One of the good things about this type of documentation is that it is a record of progress over time.

Another reason is that it has become apparent that astrophotography post-processing is an art in itself - where the 'best' result is in the eye of the beholder. There are also quite a number of different post-processing pathways - using software from free to very expensive. Each has its own pros and cons, and so it is useful to compare results not only between available applications, but also different approaches within the same application.

So basically - the detailed technical information will continue be documented on the HawkASTRO website - but the imaging results will be documented here.

Dwarf Lab II: Porque No los Dos?...

 In addition to the ZWO Seestar S50, I purchased a Dwarf Lab II smart telescope scope. Porque No los Dos? (why not the two ?) means instead of trying to decide which one would suit me best (much Youtube watching didn't return a definite answer) I called on Santa (this year - and the next on credit) and the Birthday Fairy Godmother to gift me both. 

From watching Youtube videos and looking at the specifications I suspect each will have its own niche of use. Over time familiarisation with both will reveal the strong and weak points of each when used for my intended purposes.

Dwarf II Unboxing

The Boxed Dwarf Lab II

Already the size of the packing box gives a clue that the Dwarf Lab II (DL2) smart telescope is significantly smaller than the ZWO Seestar S50.

Carry Case (supplied shoulder strap not shown)

The handy carry case with supplied shoulder strap will make it easy to grab as you walk out the door for holidays or just a day trip.

Telescope, tripod, 64 GB SD card, solar and LP filters and holder, spare battery and instructions

I - or rather Santa and the Fairy Godmother - purchased the 'Deluxe' version (versus the 'Classic' version). For this you get the added filter set (Solar and Light Pollution) and holder and a spare battery. Nominally this adds about AUD 100 to the price of the 'Classic' version - but I took advantage of a special offer and for the 'Deluxe' version I paid the price of the 'Classic' version minus 10% - happy with that !!!

Note: Like the Seestar S50, the Dwarf II does not come with a charger - so the same charger used for the S50 will double-up for the Dwarf II. Also the Dwarf II did not come with a USB-C cable - so one will have to be purchased separately.

Quick Size Comparison: Seestar S50 vs Dwarf II

Side-by-side Size Comparison: S50 vs Dwarf II Telescopes

The Dwarf II is significantly smaller and lighter than the Seestar S50 - giving it a relatively more portable feel.

Tripod Comparison: S50 Tripod on the Left - Dwarf II on the Right

Commensurate with the weight difference - with the S50 at 2.5 kg and the Dwarf II at 1.2 kg - the S50 tripod is beefier. It must be said that the quality of the Seestar S50 tripod is impressive as it is really solid and appears to made from carbon fibre.

Carry Case Comparison:  S50 Carry Case on the Left - Dwarf II on the Right

As far as portability is concerned, the S50 would be fine for a motoring holiday or day trip. The Dwarf II would seem to be the better choice for back-packing or hiking.

The ZWO Seestar S50: Solar Observation - Rotation...

Here are two consecutive days of the Sun taken with the ZWO Seestar S50. Shows the Sun's rotation (axis approx 45 degrees sloping up from left to right) as well some evolution in the shape of the sunspots. Movement towards upper-left is from Day 1 to Day 2 (22/23 December 2023).

Much fun !!! 

Sun Rotation as Shown by Sunspots

Scaling off the image and applying some simple calculations indicates the time it would take the left-most sunspot pair about 25 days to complete one rotation. Pretty close to official information.

It would be easy to get hooked by these things - or am I talking about past tense...

The ZWO Seestar S50: First Moon Observation (and Jupiter)...

Was chatting outside when I looked up and noticed Jupiter and the Moon were near each other. Setting up the ZWO Seestar S50 telescope on a pad (not ideal as tree branches were interfering) I captured Jupiter and 4 of its moons. Then nearby - the Moon.

The Moon - through tree branches

Should be able to do better with correct exposure and away from trees - but I am blown away by this little telescope and super-pleased with these first rough attempts.

Jupiter and Four of its Moons

Jupiter is over-exposed and too short a focal length - but I know the ZWO Seestar S50 is not designed for planetary.

The ZWO Seestar S50: First Solar Observation...

 Taking the opportunity of a clear morning sky (now gone cloudy) I took the S50 outside on its small tripod to observe the Sun.

Sun with sunspots (22 Dec 2023 - 09:25 am AEDT:UTC/GMT +11 hours)

Amazingly it only took less than 5 minutes from stepping out the door to the outside to getting the first image !!!

Setting up outside 35 seconds; booting up YQ10S tablet and S50 and connecting 45 seconds; compass calibration 40 seconds; levelling 55 seconds; attaching solar filter 20 seconds; S50 finding Sun 55 seconds.

This smart telescope is amazing !!!

Included ND Solar Filter (clips onto S50 lens opening)

Addendum: I don't yet understand completely how the S50 found the Sun. I am presuming it takes an azimuth bearing from its built-in compass (which is why a compass calibration is needed), an elevation bearing from the angle of the lens (why a levelling calibration is needed) and latitude and longitude and time from the tablet, and then calculates where the Sun should be in azimuth and elevation. Then it performs a spatial search and locks onto the Sun. All logical when you say it - but absolutely amazing in actual execution.

The ZWO Seestar S50: First Light...

 As the sky outside was overcast with no Sun visible, the 'first light' exercise was done in 'Scenery' mode. The S50 was attached to its tripod and placed on a sandstone bench outside. Using the S50 application on the YQ10S tablet a number photos were taken.  The S50 was pointed via the joystick controller in the S50 application on the YQ10S. Various tests on the 'Auto-focus function ('AF') were done and I was impressed with its operation.

The building in the left-most image is 27 kms away. The horses and cattle are about 1 to 2 km away.

I must say I am impressed !!!

The 'Scenery' mode images were stored on the YQ10S automatically and so easily accessible. Not sure at this stage whether they are also stored on the S50. Further familiarisation will reveal that.

Very happy with the S50 so far - even if nothing more than scenery shots.

The ZWO Seestar S50: Initial setup...

The S50 doesn't come with a charger - just a USB-C to USB-A cable. It requires a beefy charging source - so either a power bank, say, 10000 milliampere-hour (mAh) or a dedicated charger is needed.

Charger: 5V@12A total - 2.4A/connector max.

For inside charging a charger with maximum output per connector of 2.4 Amperes (A) will be used. For outside operation a power bank will be used to extend the operating time afforded by the internal 6000 mAh battery.

Ready to Setup - on charger

The controlling device expected is nominally a 'smart phone' - but I was interested to see if an inexpensive tablet could be made to work as the larger screen would make operating much easier. The tablet on-hand is a 10" Tablet, with 64GB Storage, Android 11, up to 512GB Expandable, 8MP Camera, Quad-Core Processor, 2GB RAM, 2.4 GHz WiFi and 6000 mAh Battery. It has a model name of YQ10S and was purchased on Amazon for AU$ 110.

The Seestar S50 application was downloaded and installed from 'Google Play'. The setup was proceeding without a hitch as per the included instruction sheet - where a Bluetooth connection was established and the S50 'activated' via the internet. However - when it came to the step for connecting to the S50's WiFi the YQ10S couldn't find the telescope. After some head-scratching it was noticed that the YQ10S was only showing 2.4G WiFi devices - not any 5G devices. Perhaps the S50 defaults to 5G ?

Ready to Connect

This was confirmed by installing the Seestar S50 application on a Pixel 3a smartphone (which has 5G WiFi capability) and, sure enough, the S50 was found and connection made. A quick dive into the S50's WiFi configuration menu allowed changing the S50 WiFi frequency to 2.4GHz. After this change the YQ10S could find the S50 and a connection was established with no problems.

Connected !!!

A short session of learning to control the S50 ensued inside on the bench - including opening up the lens and removing the dust protection sticker. As the minimum focus distance is 30 m it was not possible the test the auto-focus and this exercise was left for an excursion outside.