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The creation of the NAS Smart Scope group recognises that the advent of (relatively) inexpensive computerised imaging scopes like the Seestar and Dwarf II offers great opportunities for amateur astronomers. NAS has already held image processing workshops, hosted by George Sallit, that provided a great way to enhance images from these devices, and in the months to come we hope to do more workshops and other activities for users of these little scopes. However, for now the hope is this page can be a forum for members to submit images, hints and tips, useful facts, news of retailer deals and more. If you have anything at all you'd like to contribute, please reach out to communications@newburyastro.org.uk to get your contributions uploaded.
Images of M13 and M92 in Hercules taken by Steve Knight using a Seestar S50
Of Seestars (and Smart Scopes) and aircraft
Of Seestars (and Smart Scopes) and aircraft
One of the joys of Smart Scopes is that they tend to be very compact and so can be taken off to far flung destinations to image the skies there. That said, it's not always clear as to whether you can take them on flights in the cabin or the hold, and whether you need to remove the battery. The Communications Lead can attest that when travelling this spring to South Africa using both British Airways and a local codeshare partner for an internal in the country, it was absolutely fine to take the Seestar nestled in its hard case safely in the middle of the suitcase that went in the hold. The BA website and the codeshare partner website both confirmed it was within guidelines and there were no issues at check-in or security in either direction.
Experiences vary, though, so we're grateful to Rod Mantell who has put together the guidance below based on his research for a forthcoming Easyjet flight.
Image of the Eta Carinae region (NGC 3372) taken using a Seestar S50 from Sutherland, South Africa, by the Communications Lead. The plucky little scope travelled in the checked baggage with no ill effects or issues
Carrying a Seestar S50 on Easyjet flights
The following notes are for guidance only as regulations can change from time to time, so please check for yourself. The notes in white were taken from the Easyjet website on the 7th June 2025. The notes in green were found on the Seestar website (also 7th June 2025).
Battery powered items and miscellaneous dangerous goods items
Lithium battery powered electronic devices (including portable electronic devices)
Wh rating exceeding 100Wh but not exceeding 160Wh. For portable medical electronic devices only, lithium metal batteries with a lithium content exceeding 2g but not exceeding 8g.
The Seestar S50 has a Wh rating of 22Wh and contains approximately 1.8g of lithium. The working voltage is 3.7V, which at 6000mAh (or 6Ah) gives a Wh value of 3.7 x 6 = 22.2Wh.
Batteries contained in portable electronic devices should be carried as carry-on baggage; however, if carried as checked baggage:
measures must be taken to prevent unintentional activation and to protect the devices from damage; and
the devices must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode).
If a product that contains a lithium battery is subject to a safety recall related to the battery, it must not be carried aboard an aircraft.
Items containing damaged/defective lithium batteries must not be carried.
EasyJet gives automatic ‘operator approval’ for lithium ion batteries up to 160Wh.
EasyJet has a limit of 15 portable electronic devices per passenger.
The following notes were taken from the SeeStar website…
Can Seestar S50 be transported by air with battery in it?
Seestar S50 is equipped with a built-in lithium battery with a capacity of 22Wh, which complies with the standards set by the Civil Aviation Administration for air transportation. Based on our experience, it can be carried in your luggage. However, if you plan to check it in as baggage, some airlines may require the battery to be removed from the device. We recommend checking with the specific airline you are traveling with to ensure compliance with their lithium batteries regulations.
The Seestar case size (Expanded polypropylene, EPP) is 320mm x 160mm x 310mm This is small enough to be counted as under seat cabin baggage, at the time of writing. (The maximum being 450mm x 360mm x 200mm).
Disclaimer:
These notes were correct on 7th June 2025. Please check they are still valid before using this information when taking your Seestar onto an Easyjet flight
SiriL workshop slides
SiriL workshop slides
Many members will have found George Sallit's two sessions earlier this year on processing Seestar (or other) images in SiriL highly valuable. For those who would find a refresher useful, or who missed the original sessions, George's meeting slides are reproduced here.
SiriL Presentation updated .pptx
Tips for imaging Comet C2023 A3 (Tsuchinsham-ATLAS) with a Seestar
Tips for imaging Comet C2023 A3 (Tsuchinsham-ATLAS) with a Seestar
Members have been getting some excellent images of Comet C2023 A3 (Tsuchinsham-ATLAS) with their Seestar scopes, whether from the top of La Palma or from churchyards in Berkshire. George Sallit's image to the left was taken on 19 October 2024 at 19:19. 50mm Seestar telescope f5 with a 180sec stacked exposure of 10-sec images.
George has prepared a quick summary of tips for success:
Update the Seestar software before taking the images by connecting to the internet to get the latest data on the comet.
Make sure the mount is level.
Start imaging 40 mins after sunset and use the Comets section to select the Comet and press goto.
If it is too light, the telescope will Goto the comet but will not be able to centre it. Cancel the GOTO. Wait for 5 mins and retry the GOTO.
When dark enough the Seestar S50 will centre the comet. Move the telescope down on the screen to get as much of the tail in the field of view.
Use autofocus.
Try exposures of 1,2 and 3 mins. After that the motion of the comet will distort the head of the comet into a line.
Load your image on to the NAS Whats App.
Best of luck, everyone!
WhatsApp Video 2024-08-02 at 13.16.56_53aa4f51.mp4The Seestar Dance
The Seestar Dance
It is something that not all Seestar owners realise, but to calibrate the compass for accurate image acquisition, you need to do an odd jig that effectively rotates the compass and allows it to understand where it's looking. Those new to these beasts may not have realised what they were seeing - well now you know. Our thanks to Tony for capturing Steve whilst engaged in this pursuit. There is no sound on this video - but our suggestion would be to use the Floral Dance as your soundtrack...
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