Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about SmartScopes.space
- Is there any long tern contract I need to sign. None. Our programs are currently available on a month to month basis.
2. Can I rent a Seestar or smart telescope located at a remote observatory? Yes, we offer the easiest and most affordable way to access a modern Seestar astrophotography telescope. Just reserve a scope with your name, email, phone number and payment information. Then download the ZWO Seestar app to your Apple IOS or Android devise. Once your reservation is complete with payment information, you will receive the log in credentials for your Seestar. Simply open the app, click on the ME icon on bottom right side of app. Enter the provided email and password, click accept terms, then the red log in button. Now, return to the main page of the app and click the big red “connect” button. Make sure to select the remote icon that appears above the connect button. Now you are connected to your remote Seestar telescope located in one of the darkest night skies in the world!
3. Once I make a reservation how do I access the telescope on your network? Through the use of the ZWO Telescope Network. Simply download the Seestar app on your smartphone, tablet or compatible computer. We will provide you the log in credentials that will give you instant access to the Seestar telescope.
4. How will I know when I can image on a given night? We will provide daily updates on the weather via our Discord channel and or email on when the roofs will be open for imaging.
5. Ok, I signed up. How do I log into the Seestar telescope? First, download the ZWO Seestar app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. *If you own a Seestar at home, you must log out of it before you can log into your Easy Scope. From the main screen of the app, click the Me icon on the bottom right. Then the gear icon on the top right. Enter the email username and password you were provided. Click Log In, click that you agree to the ZWO terms of the software. Then return to the main screen by tapping the Seestar logo on the bottom left. There you will tap the red connect button. If you don’t see an icon that shows the Seestar being on line with a green dot, touch the red remote icon and it will now show that your Easy Scope is on-line. Tap connect and wait a few seconds and you’ll be connected to the remote Seestar telescope. You can watch this video that will guide you step by step.
6. What if the weather is cloudy or there is rain in the forecast? Then the observatory roofs will remain closed.
7. Will I be able to download the images I capture? Absolutely. You will be able to download the stacked images of your session.
8. Will I be able to get my .fit subframe data files from the Seestar? Yes. Each user will receive their data/sub frames via a Google Drive link once a week.
9. What is EQ Mode? Equatorial (EQ) Mode is an advanced mount setting for Seestar smart telescopes (such as the S50 and S30) that changes how the telescope tracks the night sky.
By default, the Seestar operates in Alt-Azimuth (Alt-Az) mode, where it moves simply up-and-down (Altitude) and left-to-right (Azimuth). While this is incredibly easy to set up, it doesn’t match the curved, diagonal way stars actually move across the sky as the Earth rotates.
In EQ Mode, you physically tilt the telescope using an adjustable wedge or a specialized tripod head so that its vertical axis is perfectly parallel to the Earth’s axis of rotation (pointing toward the North or South Celestial Pole). Once aligned using the Seestar app, the telescope only needs to rotate on a single, tilted axis to perfectly track celestial targets.
10. Are the telescopes mounted in Equatorial Mode (EQ Mode)? Yes! All of our Seestar telescopes are mounted in EQ mode allowing the use of either 10, 20, 30 or 60 second exposures. Greatly increasing the detail and quality of your images.
11. Do I own the images I capture? Yes, you took the picture, you own it.
Is solar imaging allowed? No.
12. How can I see sky conditions and or weather forecast for the observatory? Click on the Sky Status link at the top of the website.