Story #2 - Being Disabled and The Convenience Of Smart Telescopes

I was on the fence for quite a while, about whether or not to discuss this subject on (any of) my blogs. 

So, I've decided to go ahead and post my little story here ('Story #2') on my Astronomy Blog. This topic coincides with the wonderful convenience which the "new" smart telescopes provide.

I've made some new (online) friends over this past year: Both in the world of Bat Research, and Amateur Astronomy. So, as an 'FYI' for them, and as a way to illustrate the usefulness of smart telescopes...

There are 1 billion people, 15% of the world's population, disabled today. At the age of only 39 - I would've never expected to have my career come to a halt. I wouldn't have expected it in million years.

In an effort to make a long story short: I found myself coming home from work, not just tired (like everyone else), but with increasing levels of back pain, and body-wide inflammation. When it got to the point where normal movement became difficult, I consulted Doctors.

It's interesting to note: The first couple of Doctors I visited (General Practitioners), attributed these issues as being: "muscle related", "possibly arthritis", or other run-of-the-mill issues.

The third Doctor I visited (a Pain Management Specialist), sent me for X-Rays & MRI's. It was discovered that I had 8 damaged spinal discs: 4 in the mid-back; surgery not an option (due to proximity to thoracic region). 3 discs in lower back (Lumbar region) surgery not an option there, as a perfectly healthy disc would be affected. As well as 1 slightly damaged disc in the neck (cervical region).

I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia; by more than one Rheumatoid Specialist. In the years which followed, I had many tests done, and several medical procedures. I'm not going to go off on a tangent here, or get into all the details, etc. - The main points I'd like to make are that living with chronic pain & fibromyalgia (and most recently, diabetes) isn't easy.

The majority of my time is spent in bed. I never know when I'm going to feel okay; which makes planning to enjoy astronomy, or astrophotography (on clear nights) close to impossible. 

I was involved with both the visual, and AP facets of amatuer astronomy, since I was a freshman in high school. For about the past decade, trying to enjoy astrophotography was very difficult. There were quite a few steps involved in the set-up of the equipment, for a night of imaging. 

As you might imagine, there were many nights when the sky conditions were excellent - and I simply couldn't manage to set anything up. To say it was frustrating, would be a gross understatement.

With the development of these compact, smart telescopes - I've found that this is no longer the case. These new smart telescopes for astrophotography are practically effortless to set-up. The Seestar S50, for example - can simply be placed on a flat surface outside, and powered on. Then, you can just go back into your home, and control everything via smartphone or tablet. The Dwarf 2 is amazing - and almost as easy to set-up: You simply need to let it go through it's calibration process (successfully) and then you can also go indoors!

People sometimes like to say that the Dwarf II's lens is too small...But, have you ever seen what some (dedicated) astronomers accomplish with cell phone cams??

Anyway, this is a real game changer for just about anyone with disabilities. Which is really amazing, and is the reason why I'm sharing all of this.

For the first time in about 15 years, I won't have to miss out on any clear nights! I'll be able to just go out on the deck, and place a smart telescope on an outdoor table (or other flat/sturdy surface) and that's it! The rest is smooth sailing...

Well, that's my short post (for now). I'm happy to report, that:

• The 2-Part Review of The Dwarf 2 has been posted here (Pt.1 - Pt.2).
• The Seestar S50 review will be posted here soon!
• And, last...but certainly not least: Instead of my (usual) live webinar/presentation on the lastest bat detector, I'll be talking about these two new smart telescopes! As well as the hobby of amatuer astronomy! For the members of The BatAbility Club (based in Scotland).

Stay tuned - More interesting stuff coming soon!

I just got a new telescope today! So, I'll be reporting on it - All I'll say for now, is that it's the first GoTo telescope I've ever bought... I want to especially share what it's like, having a new "conventional" telescope next to a smart telescope...

Also: A few of you may remember me posting about some beautiful vintage telescopes a while back? ...Well, they may yet find their way here! We'll see...

Looking forward to it!

Clear skies!

Sharing Some Stories - Story #1 - How I First Became Interested In Astronomy

How I First Became Interested In Astronomy 

When I was in my first year of high school, I came home one day, to find that one of my older brothers (John) had a new telescope sent to me.

Of course, as you might’ve guessed it was the ubiquitous 60mm refractor!

I was very excited, but at that age, with no experience with astronomy, and no one around to guide me, I didn’t really know how to get the most out of it.

And although I lived under Bortle 4 skies at that time, all I ever managed to do with it, was to look at the moon and planets – I think back now, and think to myself: what a waste of dark skies! That was what first sparked my interest in astronomy.

Through the years since then, I’ve always had a telescope of one kind or another around. I really became immersed in astronomy, and at one point even invested in more than one pair of Fujinon binoculars, along with matching nebula filters, a TeleVue telescope (The Pronto), as well as a new 8 inch Dobsonian. But it was all still visual astronomy.

Discovering Astrophotography

As it so happens, to many of us amateur visual astronomers, we eventually become interested in astrophotography; and I was no different.

As for my career, I was an Information Technology Professional, working for many fortune 500 companies, in fast-paced New York City.

Nevertheless, when it came time for my hobbies, I was still on a limited budget. Astrophotography can be an expensive hobby; and I didn’t have a lot of discretionary funds available to spend on expensive equipment. So I looked into ways that I could enjoy astrophotography on a low budget.

My first forays into astrophotography, consisted of wooden barn door trackers with 12V stepper motors, and 35mm film cameras! I used many different models (mostly rangefinder types), and also used gas-hypered film! 

Gas-hypered film was offered by a company, called Lumicon, and I’m pretty sure I was the individual who purchased the very last rolls they had in stock. Gas-hypered film is no longer available anywhere…Something which in this day and age, would be considered an ancient relic! Well, in those days, gas-hypered film was made, so that amatuer astrophotographers could capture colourful nebulae with their film cameras.

My collection of (relatively low-cost) 35mm film cameras. I experimented with each of these for astrophotography.

At some point in the future, I'll scan some print photos I'd made with gas-hypered film, and add them to this post. For now, here is a Pic of one of my better barn door trackers:

Homemade barn door tracker (purchased from another hobbyist online). I provided ~10.8v DC power, in order to get 1 "tick"-per-second from the stepper motor. 

Making Progress In Astrophotography

Things slowly continued from there; I was able to acquire slightly better equipment, over time (but still always low budget!). I even experimented with a low cost (Meade) one shot color CCD camera, attached to a 135mm (Canon) lens.

M17 - This was taken with the Meade DSI CCD camera, attached to a canon 135mm F/2.5 lens, set at F/4. A stack of 87, 2.8 second exposures. Stacked using Nebulosity‘s drizzle feature.
 

I eventually (finally!) progressed to a modified Canon DSLR camera, along with slightly better mounts. I can still remember how off-the-charts happy I was, when I got that used, Ha-modified Canon DSLR! I also bought an extra lens from the seller.

The astrophotography experiments continued; at this time I was living under Bortle 8 skies, (in Bronx NY) not too far from New York City.

As I advanced, the thing I began to notice, was how astrophotography required quite a bit of time in front of a computer screen - processing the images. As an IT Professional, I already spent almost 9 hours a day, looking at computer screens!

Believe it or not, this was one of the main reasons why I would take long breaks from the hobby. I simply didn’t want to spend so much time in front of a computer screen, stacking and post processing images.

NGC 1499 The California Nebula. This is one of my better images, taken with a modified Canon DSLR.

Discovering and using The Dwarf 2 

Then, just recently, I discovered The Dwarf II smart telescope from DwarfLabs.

When I first stumbled across the Dwarf 2 - It was like wow! I started seeing the images people were taking with the Dwarf 2 – and they looked great!

So I immediately decided that I simply had to have one!

I’ve been using mine on every clear night, since I got it. Of course, there are many wonderful pros about owning and using a Dwarf 2 smart telescope. The characteristic I appreciate most, is how the images look so good – and that with just a little basic “cleaning up”, most often directly on your cell phone, they are ready to share with friends and family.

M31 - 150 sub exposures of 15” each. Taken and stacked by The Dwarf 2. 

Minor post processing.

There are many things that I like about The Dwarf 2, but 2 factors which are most prominent, are:

1. The way it’s like having a tiny robot, doing your astrophotography for you. I mean, it's out there in your backyard...sometimes, in the freezing cold, taking photos of deep space for you...It might as well be a Probe Droid 🤖

2. And, the wide fields of view it provides. It is able to comfortably frame many of the larger deep sky objects, where other smart telescopes cannot.

On these nights, whenever I leave The Dwarf 2 outside in the backyard, to do it’s imaging: I walk back into the house, with a big smile on my face, saying to myself: “I love this thing!”

In fact, as I type this, my Dwarf 2 is on my deck; taking (and stacking) images of NGC 6946 The Fireworks Galaxy and open star cluster NGC 6939 - Since they both fit comfortably in the field of view!

I'm looking forward to doing more astrophotography with The Dwarf 2!

Keep an eye out for Story #2, coming soon...Until next time,

Clear & steady skies to you!

Review of The Dwarf II Smart Telescope Part 2 of 2

Review of The Dwarf II Smart Telescope - Part 2 of 2 

A very short un-boxing video

Right from the start, let me just "blurt out" some thoughts, from the top of my head: 

I've had this Dwarf 2 for about 2 months now, and even though there have been more clouds & rain than clear nights - Every time I leave it out there, to do it's imaging: I head inside the house, thinking to myself "I love that thing!"

It is amazing! That's why I (thought of) and shared this video on one of The Dwarf 2's Facebook groups:

Again, it really comes down to - Me having been into astrophotography for years; and now having a smart telescope:

• It takes under 5 minutes to set-up!
• It has GoTo ability - Which means it can find, and track any DSO you want!
• It automatically produces results, which in many cases, are even better than my DSLR set-up used to!

What's there not to like??

• The images, look great as-is, straight out of the Dwarf 2 (right off of the memory card).
• If you do just a little bit of post processing, right on your smartphone's default photo app: The images look fabulous!
• You can then share them wherever you'd like - Super easy!

For me, personally: I seriously dislike spending all of that time in front of a laptop screen - when doing normal (conventional) astrophotography. Having to do all of the arranging in file folders, and (necessary) stacking, etc., etc. 

As a former Computer Engineer, I used to spend all day at work, looking at computer screens...do you think I wanted to spend any more time looking at a computer? (in order to enjoy my astrophotography hobby)?

No way! I want to avoid it as much as possible.

Okay. What about the expense?

Yes, astrophotography is (and always has been) an expensive hobby. The Dwarf II is currently priced at $459 for the standard version; and $595 for the Deluxe version - You can just get a modified DSLR camera for about that much...and you still would need to buy:

• A lens of 135mm FL (or longer) -or- a telescope.
• A (good) tracking mount.
• A sturdy tripod.

This quickly brings you into the realm of about $1500+!

An image produced with my Dwarf II - The Eastern Veil Nebula

341 images of 15" each, taken & stacked by The Dwarf II; cropped and post processed in PixInsight software.

 

M20 - The Trifid Nebula. 153 individual shots of 15" each, taken & stacked by The Dwarf II. Cropped and post processed with Siril and Gimp (both free applications!).

When I first started astrophotography, I also experimented with film cameras! I even used (the increasingly rare) gas-hypered film - Which was only offered by a company called Lumicon. I believe I purchased the last rolls of that 35mm film in existence. 

And mounts as primitive as homemade (wooden) barn door trackers! These used simple gears, a not-so-simple curved bolt, and 12v powered stepper motors.

For those of you who have never done astrophotography - What you need to keep in mind, are all of the procedures and steps, which are required for traditional astrophotography - And that they simply don't exist when using The Dwarf II! 

The more thought I give to this subject in particular, the more I feel I could write about it. And, I wouldn't want to make this review too "drawn-out". Or, longer than it needs to be! It bears repeating at this point: Those who will appreciate The Dwarf II the most, are those who have done some conventional astrophotography in the past.

I couldn't resist showing a photo I managed; several years ago - Using a Ha (Hydrogen-Alpha) modified Canon DSLR:

An image taken with (conventional equipment) - Hydrogen Alpha modified Canon T3i DSLR, Clip-in light pollution filter, on a wooden barn door tracking mount. Shown here is The Heart & Soul Nebulae, as well as The Double Cluster in Perseus. Bortle 4 skies.

In operation, The Dwarf II is very easy to set-up and use; and more importantly, it is an accurate device. It's calibration sequence is automatic, and completes quickly. When you ask it to goto an object (from the Auto Goto List) it always centers the DSO in the center of frame.

In the past, while using conventional astrophotography gear: If there was a clear night, and I wasn't feeling well - that was it. I had to deal with the disappointment of not getting any astro-imaging done. With a smart telescope like The Dwarf 2, you only need to pop outside for a few minutes for set-up. Then you can go back indoors, and be comfortable while the tiny Dwarf II capture and stacks the images for you. You also get to watch it's progress, from your smartphone or tablet's screen - Excellent!

This is M8 - The Lagoon Nebula. A stack of only 37 frames! of 15" each, stacked by The Dwarf 2. Cropped and post processed using PixInsight.

Pros:

• Super small, lightweight, easy to transport anywhere.
• Additional (optional) batteries are available for purchase - which can be a great convenience.
• Ability to purchase & use third-party nebula filters, providing excellent results (especially in light-polluted areas).
• Offers a wide-field of view, required for larger DSO's.
• Offers good control over manual focus, which stays in place once set.
• Single exposures taken by the Dwarf 2 are made accessible by default, if user would like to stack them manually.
• Acquired images are written to an accessible MicroSD card, convenient for post-processing (on PC).

Cons:

• The list of goto/DSO objects (to automatically goto) is currently rather short.
• Imaging the same object for long periods of time, will begin to show the effects of field rotation (if The Dwarf 2 isn't polar aligned).
• Not ideal for smaller nebulae (such as planetary nebulae).
• Battery life could use improvement.

The Dwarf II may be ordered directly from DwarfLabs. Several Dealers of astronomy products also have them in stock/currently available for order.

NGC 281 The Pacman Nebula - A stack of 63 frames, 15" each, taken by The Dwarf II. Cropped, and processed in PixInsight.

Until next time,

Wishing you clear & steady skies!