Venturing into the Cosmos: My Journey with the Seestar S50 Smart Telescope

The advent of smart telescopes has revolutionized amateur astronomy, making the wonders of the universe more accessible to everyone. Smart telescopes automatically take and stack images, making the intricate process of capturing the celestial grandeur of the night sky far more accessible to enthusiasts. Gone are the days when a smart telescope required a hefty investment of thousands of dollars. Recent innovations have brought us marvels like the ZWO Seestar S50 and Dwarf II smart telescope, available for under $1000 CAD. These devices, while more limited than their pricier counterparts such as the Unistellar eVscope, provide a solid user-friendly introduction to astrophotography.

​With the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 I recently took the plunge and acquired the Seestar S50 to fill gaps in and expand my observational capabilities. This piece of technology not only complements my existing equipment but also opens new doors to the universe's mysteries. Before delving into this smart telescope, it's crucial for anyone considering a telescope to reflect on how they wish to engage with the night sky. Whether it's star hopping, deep-sky viewing, or planet gazing, the right equipment can significantly enhance your experience.

My arsenal includes a Celestron Regal M2 100ED spotting scope and Orion 2x54 Ultra Wide Angle Binoculars. Both are ultraportable and serve a unique purpose. The spotting scope is great for star hopping and viewing the planets. The binoculars (aka constellation binoculars) provide a 36 degree field of view that fully encompasses a constellation and allows you to see about 1.2 magnitudes fainter than you can with the naked eye. This has come in handy at star parties, where I used them to identify locations to set up telescopes for public outreach before the stars and planets were visible to the naked eye. They also provide a more ‘dark sky’ experience in areas with light pollution by enabling viewing of fainter magnitudes. These tools have been invaluable in my stargazing adventures, from casual walks under the stars to camping in beautiful parks to educational sessions at star parties.

​The Seestar S50 Smart Telescope: A New Perspective

​The Seestar S50 promises to broaden my view of the cosmos with its ability to capture images of the sun and deep-sky objects such as galaxies and nebulae in a user-friendly and portable package. It boasts a 50mm apochromatic lens, a 250mm focal length, and utilizes a high-quality Sony sensor to capture the cosmos in decent detail.

1. Seestar case. 2. Inside the Seestar case. 3. Seestar S50 telescope set up on tripod with charging cable and solar filter. 

​Simplicity and Usability

The Seestar S50 is celebrated for its straightforward setup and portability, making it an ideal choice for astronomers of all levels. Setting it up is a breeze—just mount it on the tripod, turn it on, sync it with the app, and you're ready to explore the night sky. This ease of use extends to the app, which guides you through selecting and capturing celestial wonders. Thanks to its compact design, the Seestar S50 can easily accompany you on your adventures, from casual backyard observations to star parties to explorations under the dark skies of remote locations. This portability and convenience makes the Seestar S50 a perfect match for my Celestron Regal M2, allowing for a comprehensive observational experience where deep-sky imaging with the Seestar S50 complements serendipitous explorations with the Celestron Regal M2.

1. Screenshot of the Seestar app acquiring and stacking images of the Orion Nebula. 2. Screenshot of the Seestar app targeting and going to M35. 3. Screenshot of the Seestar app acquiring and stacking images of NGC 869. 

​First Light: Challenges and Triumphs

My initial outing with the Seestar S50 had a minor learning curve. Calibrating the telescope required a delicate balance, quite literally, as I discovered the importance of smooth rotation of the telescope while connected to the tripod. I had initially aimed to keep the telescope level when rotating, but this led to bumps and jolts due to surface friction as the tripod's legs brushed against the surface it was placed on. This minor hiccup aside, the telescope soon proved its worth, effortlessly tracking celestial wonders from the Sun to the Triangulum Galaxy. Despite urban light pollution and a bright moon, the images I captured, including the Orion Nebula and the Double Cluster in Perseus, were a testament to the telescope's capabilities.

1. ​Sol (Our Sun) 2. Orion Nebula (M42) 3. 75 Tauri (Orange-Hued Aging Giant Star)
4. M35 (Open Cluster) 5. Double Cluster in Perseus (NGC 869 and NGC 884)
​6. Triangulum Galaxy (M33)

​Public Outreach and Value

The Seestar S50's value extends beyond personal exploration to public outreach. As highlighted in Urban Astrophotography, this smart telescope is an excellent tool for educational initiatives, bringing the night sky closer to the community and sparking interest in astronomy among people of all ages.

​Looking Ahead

My journey with the Seestar S50 is just beginning. I eagerly anticipate further tests and adventures, especially from dark sky sites and with longer sessions, where the true potential of this telescope can be unleashed.

​A Note to My Readers

​Life has been growing busier, so I am shifting to a biweekly blogging schedule. Mark your calendars for my next post on February 21, 2024.