Running Seestar with Equatorial Mode, Hardware
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- This is part 3 of a series of videos to demonstrate how to convert you Seestar to operate in the equatorial mode, to eliminate field rotates and extend exposure time per frame with minimum star trails.
Thank you very much. I will transpose his teachings to the southern hemisphere (Brazil).
I like the idea. I hope Seestar also adds mode to enable equatorial axis and also something similar to Sequence Pro Generator. I cant stay awake for objects that rise late in the night.
I now wrote an companion app that allows for exactly this, mosaic and night session planning.
I just recently wrote and released a companion app that will do just this, for mosaics and night session scheduled executions.
Great video Kai, thanks for sharing. I hope to get my S50 very soon!
Hello, I like this idea. I recently picked up the SeeStar and am impressed with the hardware. It would be nice to have more manual control over the camera and capture settings but maybe that will come in future updates.
Can I ask what size lens hood you are using? did it screw right in or does it need any modification?
Are you sure that the Seestar structure will withstand working on this inclined plane for a long time? Its design was made to work on a horizontal basis. Gears and motors were not designed to carry out this type of effort, since you are applying a lateral force. How long do you think it will work? Please let me know when it breaks.
There is an example of it running much closer to the equator, and I won't link it here to steal his thunder. We also have an idea or 2 about adding support to reduce the strain. You can read all about them in our Facebook group "Smart Telescope Underground".
Where can we find the adapter plate for the Red Dot Finder? Where did you get your EQ Mount?
instead of mounting the seestar in equatorial mode I hope ZWO will make someday a built in rotator able to compensate the tilt of the az mount.. for me that would be a winner.
That would be really cool. Interesting not many Alt-Az mounted smart telescope do this though. I imagine synchronizing 3 degrees of freedom would complicate the algorithm. Definitely doable though.
Yeah, but are the gears capable of carrying the load like that?
The RA axis has an internal metal bearing, and their software and even stamped mechanical parts were labeled as RA and Dec.
I would say they can probably patch that software limitation. If they wanted too.
Reminds me of SkyWatcher with one of there AZ-GTi WiFi GOTO mount that was suppose to be only for "ALT AZ" for observing.
But then they had a software patch where you can install it or have the store install it. (or you can)
And this patch allows it to become an EQ mount but you have to buy the Wedge and weights etc.
Turning it into an Astrophotography imaging set up (very portable). The limitation only being the weight it can carry which is 5KG payload max
Great set of videos. I just pick up the Seestar, fold in the legs and point the tripod top towards the pole star to demonstrate an EQ mount. Same set up as my old 1976 C8. Use wedge for Astro, or remove wedge and attach base with bolt to tripod head for landscape viewing.
Yes. Since Seestar brought in many new faces into the hobby, Alt-Az and EQ are foreign concepts. I tried to demystify them so they can appreciate the finer details of what 's really going on.
Ahh.. Ok.. I haven't used my S50 for a while. Will check out the update..
Hi Kai, was wondering what if you mount is so the base plan is align with equatorial and polar align with the base instead of the edge of the Seestar as the Seestar has 2 axis?
The arm axis is limited in travel while the base can move in full circle. That by itself would restrict the sky in your proposed arrangement.
Does the orientation of the body matter as long as it it pointing to Polaris? I notices someone else's video had the power button facing east.
It does not. Remember the body rotates over a session so what orientation it started with will be different later.
This counters field rotation, but what difference does this really make to the results? The internal software counters the rotation perfectly already. I would be interested in seeing some pictures made by both methods.
@@donepearce the normal orientation results in field rotation artifacts demonstrated by this example....
photos.app.goo.gl/vrXV7gzsmgBU7xi76
@@kai_seestar I see no artefacts. I am expecting star trails for a long exposure or multiple images near the edges for a stack.
@@donepearce notice the light/dark separation in the upper left and lower right region.
@@kai_seestar I see it. Is that really a result of field rotation? I don't get how that would work.
@@donepearce the sensor is narrow and rectangular. As it images a target, the sensor essentially rotates over the target. The dark area is where the non-data being integrated into the stacked result.
Did you consider a 3-axis gimbal for a tripod head, whereas you can employ an arca swiss camera mounting plate with a 3/8' to 1/4" adapter? Being I have little means to rationalize spending more than I already have, I wondered if that is practical... Also, is there a way to bypass the default imaging sensor to use my mirrorless camera, monitoring the FOV with the camera's capabilities? I appreciate your hacks, as they are indicative of the inherent dynamics that ZWO should have utilized in the components of their design. I noticed while carrying my unit, that there is play in the motorized gearhead, which is internal. Thanks, again Kai. I look forward to learning whatever I can. This is my first telescope. I am not even knowledgeable in Astro 101, but eager to discover more.
There are members in our group who simply 3d printed or crafted from wood that formed a wedge with the correct angle. No other tripod or wedge is required. You can find the posts in our group. We also have a spreadsheet that listed the relevant steps to get the Seestar into equatorial mode.
As for putting a different sensor, there are a few samples where members piggyback a sensor on top of Seestar imaging arm. There's even one who replaced the gears with harmonic gears that can carry an extra 10+ kg on top. That example is not for the faint of hearts though.
@@kai_seestar I appreciate you taking the time to reply. There is a rain trough over most of California, so waiting for some dryer nights...
Next Mod probably needs to be fitting Stronger Bearings.
Not sure i'd use EQ mode on mine
When you are polar aligning the SeeStar on your wedge, you are aligning the RA center, but the DEC arm is offset from that. Does this effect imaging in any way or is this negligible??
When you polar align a star tracker you have to, or should, take into account the time of night and where Polaris is clocked around true North.
When you properly polar aligned, the RA motor is the only one that moves to compensate for Earth's rotation. The Dec motor moves only to adjust any errors in the alignment or the Seestar error in tracking. That is why you will get better tracking performance in EQ, with better acceptance rate. From Seestar's point of view, it is no different from when you are trying to image near the Celestrial poles. Therefore, it is a much better configuration for tracking.
Nice.. however ,doesn't Seestar require that it is placed horizontal to the ground withn its acceptable limits for the Seestar app to start ?
No. With a firmware update a few months back, ZWO introduced horizontal calibration (aka 3 point calibration) that I used to escape from the original requirement that the base had to be leveled. That was the start of the EQ experiments.
what improvements by adding this setup?
No field rotation, much better frame acceptance rate for stacking, no fanning in spectroscopy, better star tracking, much less movement in the Dec motor, more constant motor speed for RA motor, no terrible field gradients that can't be fixed...
At the end, better images
Hi. Can I ask - what EQ wedge is that you are using on the Manfrotto?
That's my iOptron Alt-Az wedge:
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1353454-REG/ioptron_3327_alt_azimuth_adjustable_base.html
so, if i see this correctly.. we cant get targets below pretty much 40 degrees to the south? this would make orions neb, jupiter, etc mostly not available atm? so far i have kept mine in alt az tho i have a wedge. but was going to try this tonight. pinwheel will be a good northern target thats there till dawn. you still doing 10 or did you swap to 30 second mode?
It depends on how close you are to the pole. We actually have a work around that will extend the sky that is available in EQ mode. Check out Facebook for the instructions. I have tried both 10 and 30s exposures. One member imaged in Bortle 2 with 30s have demonstrated resolving a mag 20 stars with Seestar. It may be a fluke, but the data is there.
@@kai_seestarso many postys ill have to find it. my house is in the middle of corn fields at a bortle 2 in kansas. should be interesting if i get her working.
@@jasonpierce4518 yeah. That's the problem with Facebook. That's why I just created a discord server to help with searches and more indepth discussions. Still in its infancy.
Your bortle 2 sky will be the envy of many!
@@kai_seestarwhats the addr? ill hop on.
@@jasonpierce4518 found out spreadsheet on EQ instrtructions. There's a section for accessing below the celestial horizon:
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LmHbaSFyN8AbMBJ5no-gLZ_8tVHysWff9qSBeaGzhyQ/htmlview
This system isn’t designed to implement equatorial mode. Software simply won’t support this as intended S50 internal sky model assumes azimuth axis is pointing to local zenith. Immediately gives level error, tracking fails, even when user opts for shutting off horizon align feature on setup. Also is inconsistent with how ZWO implements backlash compensation during dithering.
I welcome you to ask members in the official Seestar group for examples of successful imaging in EQ mode. Please just don't take my word for it. If you really want to dig deep into the details, my Facebook has all the info and real world examples you are looking for. All I ask is to enter with an open mind.
But Seestar just take 10 seconds each photo. It IS possible to change It? To one minut? If It IS not possible , your idea wont work
You can set it to 30sec in the advanced features but it will still work with 10sec exposures. Why do you think it wont work?
@@realmcerono I thought it couldnt change. If it is possible , is good !! thanks
Great information, and worth a try...........I have one question if I may..............do you have to manually find your targets when set up this way, or will the Seestar still find targets you pick from their Tonight's Best or Sky Atlas when you choose one and click on Gazing? Thanks!
Once Seestar has a good sky model, it will find objects just like in Alt-Az mode. You can help improve the model by syncing objects, but I find Seestar does fine after just 1 sync.
In our Facebook group, many many members have and are using the EQ mode.
Thanks, will see if I can find how to do a sync..........never tried that before and do not see anything in the manual about it.
Not advisable!
If ZWO wanted you to mount it on an equatorial mount, it would say so in the instructions!. The gearing mesh inside is plastic and will greatly increase wear and tear and will void your warranty!
What do you have plugged in the charging port?
A magnetically attached usb power cord adapter.
@@kai_seestar oh? What brand
@@Jazzzyjay this is more of a luxury than necessity. You will also need an usb-c adapter to extend it since the lip for this is too shallow:
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09N157QGT?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
@@Jazzzyjay They are awesome. If the Seestar slews around and pulls on the power cable, this just disconnects without pulling on the port.
Water fountain noise is annoying