MalloryMar 1
I did a little experiment this week for funsies. Last week I posted a pic of M81 and M82 that I got with my Seestar S30, and I decided to replicate it with my best astrophotography rig (Askar 130PHQ + ASI2600MC). Obviously, there's a huge difference between the two setups, but I stuck with 60 second subs like I did on the S30, about the same integration time, exactly the same light pollution level, and processing was done with the same tools.

This gives you an idea of how much more detail is available using a scope that's ~7x larger and a better camera.

Full resolution and capture details: https://app.astrobin.com/i/c24ufh?r=0

#astronomy #astrophotography #SeestarS30
Show threaddrs1969 (David Smith) 🇬🇧
@malcircuit so the bigger rig is £5-6k with a mount? It’s striking just how close the Seestar is. Also the Seestar stars are much brighter than the bigger rig - what’s the reason for that? Quirk of the S30 sensor? Both lovely pictures.
Mar 1 at 9:00amWeb
Show threadMalloryMar 1
By "brighter" do you mean larger? That's because the angular resolution is lower for the S30.
Show threaddrs1969 (David Smith) 🇬🇧Mar 1

@malcircuit both. The stars seemed both brighter and yes larger as well.

I'm mostly a visual observer ... was a visual observer. I have eyepieces more expensive than my S50. I don't use them. Most winters here now one grabs an hr or 2 when one can. The seestar has given me more observing time than all my other scopes. I do sit outside and watch the photons appear on the iPad though. Tradition and all that.

Show threadMalloryMar 1
The brightness difference might have more to do with differences in processing. I used the same tools for both (PixInsight), but I'm not methodical enough to have done both images in exactly the same way.

And yeah, I'm not dissing the Seestar at all. I have one for a reason. They are super easy to use and, most of all, fun to use!