Unoffical Seestar Wiki

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operation [2025/01/02 05:49] – tailspinoperation [2025/02/06 06:07] (current) – tailspin
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 Compared to other telescopes, the Seestar is relatively uncomplicated and a backyard astronomer's dream come true. But the Seestar is not easy to use, if it was, this wiki wouldn’t be necessary. If you have never thought in astronomical terms or are not comfortable with mobile apps in general you’ll definitely find some Seestar concepts and operations befuddling. (That’s an often-used astronomical term.) It doesn’t help that the User Interface is bizarre, the English is poorly translated from Chinese, and the way some things function is just weird. Compared to other telescopes, the Seestar is relatively uncomplicated and a backyard astronomer's dream come true. But the Seestar is not easy to use, if it was, this wiki wouldn’t be necessary. If you have never thought in astronomical terms or are not comfortable with mobile apps in general you’ll definitely find some Seestar concepts and operations befuddling. (That’s an often-used astronomical term.) It doesn’t help that the User Interface is bizarre, the English is poorly translated from Chinese, and the way some things function is just weird.
  
-For example, I’ve been using computers since the ‘60s (IBM 360) but couldn’t get my new Seestar to turn on. Mainly that was because I didn’t RTFM. ((That’s a computer term that means Read The F*ing Manual.)) You should. There’s some stuff there that isn’t here. But if you can't read, there's a {{youtube>x3TXn5GT8SQ}|comprehensive review}} of the s50 operations by Curtiss Macchiomi's channel on YouTube.+For example, I’ve been using computers since the ‘60s (IBM 360) but couldn’t get my new Seestar to turn on. Mainly that was because I didn’t RTFM. ((That’s a computer term that means Read The F*ing Manual.)) You should. There’s some stuff there that isn’t here.
  
 But we love the Seestar despite all that, and those irregularities will probably be sorted out as the product matures. But we love the Seestar despite all that, and those irregularities will probably be sorted out as the product matures.
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-When you turn the Seestar on, you’ll hear a voice prompt that says, “Power on, ready to connect.” If you then launch the app (in my case on an iPhone) you’ll see a pretty “splash screen” with mountains and Milky Way. ((For those who might not know, what you’re looking at when you look at the Milky Way, is a cross-section of our galaxy looking toward the center. You can’t see the Milky Way behind you because we’re out toward the edge of the spiral, so there’s not a lot to see in that direction.))((Our solar system is located in the Orion Arm, a minor spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy. The Orion Arm is also known as the Orion Spur or Orion–Cygnus Arm, and is situated between the Sagittarius and Perseus arms. It's about 3,500 light-years across and 10,000 light-years long.))+{{anchor:wiki}}When you turn the Seestar on, you’ll hear a voice prompt that says, “Power on, ready to connect.” If you then launch the app (in my case on an iPhone) you’ll see a pretty “splash screen” with mountains and Milky Way. ((For those who might not know, what you’re looking at when you look at the Milky Way, is a cross-section of our galaxy looking toward the center. You can’t see the Milky Way behind you because we’re out toward the edge of the spiral, so there’s not a lot to see in that direction.))((Our solar system is located in the Orion Arm, a minor spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy. The Orion Arm is also known as the Orion Spur or Orion–Cygnus Arm, and is situated between the Sagittarius and Perseus arms. It's about 3,500 light-years across and 10,000 light-years long.))
  
-Usually, the Seestar will automatically connect to the app and take you to the Home Screen. Press the Connect button if it doesn’t.+Usually, the Seestar will automatically connect to the app and take you to the Home Screen. Press the Connect button if it doesn’t. You do not need to be within range of a WiFi service such as a coffee shop or at home. The Seestar has a built in hotspot so you can connect anywhere.
    
-{{ :enabled.jpg?nolink&200|}}If this is your first start-up, after you see the splash screen you’ll be asked to allow the app to use your Bluetooth, Wi-Fi  network, and location.+{{ :enabled.jpg?nolink&200|}}If this is your first start-up, after you see the splash screen you’ll be asked to allow the app to use your Bluetooth, Wi-Fi network, and location.
  
-During this first-time set-up process you’ll see a pop-up screen that has links to some short video tutorials. Definitely watch every one, preferably now or at least later. If you don’t do it from this screen now, you’ll find a link to the tutorials in the middle of the Home Screen. It’s labeled “Tutorials.” (Duh.)+During this first-time set-up process you’ll see a pop-up screen that has links to some short video tutorials. Definitely watch every one, preferably now or at least later. If you don’t do it now, you’ll find a link to the tutorials in the middle of the Home Screen. It’s labeled “Tutorials.” (Duh.)
  
 Next, the first-time set-up process will show you what you have enabled and present you with a button mis-labeled Enter App. You already in the app so it should say something like Join Seestar. But whatever. Tap the button and you’ll see a screen that lets you choose your Seestar, possibly from a list of Seestars if there are others nearby. ((You might change the SSID (name) and password to avoid confusion. There's no particular security risk, but you can impress other Seestar owners when they see your clever name in the list.)) Next, the first-time set-up process will show you what you have enabled and present you with a button mis-labeled Enter App. You already in the app so it should say something like Join Seestar. But whatever. Tap the button and you’ll see a screen that lets you choose your Seestar, possibly from a list of Seestars if there are others nearby. ((You might change the SSID (name) and password to avoid confusion. There's no particular security risk, but you can impress other Seestar owners when they see your clever name in the list.))
  
-Tap Connect and you’ll see a very useful feedback graphic that proves something is going on…or not. If you’re too far from the Seestar, or forgot to turn it on, a similar graphic will report No Seestar Found and offer some suggestions. The process works well, and you’ll get connected unless you’re like one guy who bitched loudy and longly about it not connecting until someone asked if his Seestar was properly charged. Never heard another peep from him. Things like that remind me grandfather’s wise saying, “It’s a poor craftsman who blames his tools.”+Tap Connect and you’ll see a very useful feedback graphic that proves something is going on…or not. If you’re too far from the Seestar, or forgot to turn it on, a similar graphic will report No Seestar Found and offer some suggestions. The process works well, and you’ll get connected unless you’re like one guy who bitched loudly and longly about it not connecting until someone asked if his Seestar was properly charged. Never heard another peep from him. Things like that remind me of my grandfather’s wise saying, “It’s a poor craftsman who blames his tools.”
  
 Anyway, when all goes well the graphic slides off the bottom of the screen and you’re looking at the Home screen! Anyway, when all goes well the graphic slides off the bottom of the screen and you’re looking at the Home screen!
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 At the bottom of the settings screen (tap the Seestar image at the top of the Home Screen or the Me button at the bottom), In a not-so-handy spot hiding out of sight off the bottom of the screen if you're using a phone, there's a big red 'Slide to shut down' button. At the bottom of the settings screen (tap the Seestar image at the top of the Home Screen or the Me button at the bottom), In a not-so-handy spot hiding out of sight off the bottom of the screen if you're using a phone, there's a big red 'Slide to shut down' button.
 +
 +If after reading all this you still want a more detailed tutorial here's a comprehensive review of s50 operations by Curtiss Macchiomi {{ youtube>x3TXn5GT8SQ?half}}(Note: there may be some minor differences between what Curtiss shows you and what you see when you look at your Seestar app. ZWO is constantly adding updates.))
  
 ===== Now go to Acquisition Modes ===== ===== Now go to Acquisition Modes =====
  
 Now that you have your Seestar up and running, go to the [[aquisition_modes|Acquisition Modes]] page to start using it. Now that you have your Seestar up and running, go to the [[aquisition_modes|Acquisition Modes]] page to start using it.
operation.1735825782.txt.gz · Last modified: 2025/01/02 05:49 by tailspin

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