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Seestar S30 Pro Orion M42 image test

Started by moonbeam on 1/2/2026 10:50:51 AM CST

moonbeam

Joined 6/24/2024
Loc: Mo, USA
Posted 1/2/2026 10:50:51 AM CST

Seestar S30 Pro

3 hours

Equtorial mode

180 X 60 second exposures

3/4 moon

No filter

Processed in Pixinsight and Photoshop


Explorer of the cosmos, one photon at a time. I capture the universe with a collection of about 12 telescopes, including the SCA310, Astro-Physics 155 EDF Starfire, TEC 180FL, and Takahashi Epsilon 160ED, and my beloved FSQ-106EDX4. Paired with advanced imaging systems - including the medium-format ZWO ASI461MM and ASI6200MM Pro with Chroma filters - these precision instruments help me reveal the faint structures, rich colors, and extraordinary detail hidden in the night sky.


moonbeam

Joined 6/24/2024
Loc: Mo, USA
Posted 1/2/2026 4:32:24 PM CST

This comparison here is admittedly a bit tongue-in-cheek. My Orion image I’m using as a reference was captured in a wide-field shot with roughly $20,000 worth of dedicated astrophotography gear: a Takahashi FSQ-106, an ASI 6200MM, a full set of Chroma filters, and other high-end components.

Putting that up against a smart telescope isn’t exactly fair - but that’s what makes it interesting. And since I took both photos, here we go: the $599 Seestar S30 Pro versus a $20,000 purpose-built imaging rig.

(Click the full-size image for a true resolution comparison.)


Explorer of the cosmos, one photon at a time. I capture the universe with a collection of about 12 telescopes, including the SCA310, Astro-Physics 155 EDF Starfire, TEC 180FL, and Takahashi Epsilon 160ED, and my beloved FSQ-106EDX4. Paired with advanced imaging systems - including the medium-format ZWO ASI461MM and ASI6200MM Pro with Chroma filters - these precision instruments help me reveal the faint structures, rich colors, and extraordinary detail hidden in the night sky.



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