November 2024 Meeting: SeeStar S50 Smart Telescope
Presented by Mark Koehler
Astrophotography, the art of taking those “glossy magazine” images of the Universe, was once reserved for large government agencies, research laboratories, and either a mountain top littered with odd dome-shaped buildings or an “E-ticket ride” into orbit. Oh, and eye-watering budgets to match. But over the years, the march of technology, miniaturization, and good ol’ curiosity has pushed this art into a hobby that many can afford. The ultimate in this progression, at least so far, has been the introduction of several “Smart telescopes”, small aperture scopes with integrated camera, computers, and mechanics, that can be set up and operated with a simple app on one’s cell phone without needing a PHD or even a 4-figures bank account.
This month, our own Mark Koehler will discuss what these marvels can (and can’t quite) do in capturing your own glossy magazine images. All you need is a clear shot at the night sky, and a picnic table to put it on.
Mark has had a long career in computer manufacturing and software development in the San Francisco Bay Area. After retiring, Mark reinvigorated his interest in astronomy, a childhood interest that started with the watching of the satellite Echo moving across the night skies. Over the years he has bought several different size scopes going from his original 2 1/2 inch Sears’s Newtonian to a 16 inch Meade SCT telescope. Always keen to share his love of astronomy, having setups that can quickly be deployed and let others see the night sky has led Mark to smaller telescopes like the Seestar s50.
** Note **
For the “Summer Season” (July and August) the NC Astronomers will be meeting on-line via Zoom. Club members will receive the keys to the Zoom conference in their email via Groups.io.
NC Astronomers Meets on the 1st Wednesday each month at 7pm in the
Madelyn Helling Library Community Room
980 Helling Way
Nevada City, CA 95959
(September – May)
** NC Astronomers “YouTube” channel **
Many of the presentations are recorded and posted to the club’s YouTube channel. Please see https://www.youtube.com/@ncastronomers9981/videos