Experience the Solar Eclipse like a Skilled Astronomer with this Intelligent Telescope
Photographing the 2024 Solar Eclipse Like a Pro
Gear up for next year's Solar Eclipse on 8 April 2024 with some exciting options to capture and remember this extraordinary cosmic event. Here's a fresh take on how to do it:
- Point-and-shoot it with your camera or smartphone - You might strike gold, but you might also miss the mark while fiddling with your gadget.
- Dive into astronomical deep-seas with an expensive telescope and astrophotography gear - It's a steep learning curve and requires lots of practice to get it right.
- Behold it with your very eyes (don't forget your eclipse glasses) - No footage to share, but you'll cherish the memory.
But hey, how about a fourth, almost-guaranteed-success option that lets you witness the eclipse and snap stellar images?
A Game-Changer: The ZWO Seestar S50 Smart Telescope
Enter the universe of smart telescopes, still relatively new but totally perfect for eye-catching events like these. These wonders merge telescopes and cameras into one and can be controlled through an app on your smartphone - they're amazing, simple, and getting more affordable every year2.
The ZWO Seestar S50 stands out for three reasons when it comes to the 2024 Solar Eclipse:
- Its solar imaging abilities are top-notch, and the whole process is a snap.
- It can take continuous images of the sun while you watch the spectacle with your very eyes.
- It only sets you back around $5002.
Want a peek at the result? Check out these captivating sun shots taken with the Seestar S502:
Fancy imagining these images replicated during the eclipse? Sign us up!
Using Seestar S50 for the Eclipse
It gets even better - using the Seestar S50 for the eclipse is a breeze:
- Set it up где можно увидеть солнце
- Grab the Seestar app and connect the device
- Activate the Solar mode and let it find the sun for you
- Snap photos or videos when ready2
Just make sure to practice capturing the sun on a regular sunny day at least once before the actual eclipse2. You'll want to be confident when it happens, so you can sit back and enjoy the show, secure in the knowledge that you'll have some fabulous images to show off afterwards.
More Information and Alternatives
Want to learn more about the ZWO Seestar S50? Check out our in-depth review.
It comes complete with a solar filter for taking photos of the sun, so you're all set. And the best part? You can buy yours directly from the manufacturer here, or shop around for better prices here.
If $500 seems a bit steep for solar images, remember that the S50's main purpose is to photograph deep-sky objects at night, so you might just get a new hobby and get your money's worth.
Alternatives
Consider the Dwarf 2 from Dwarflab as an alternative option. This budget-friendly smart telescope is smaller and lighter than the Seestar S50, making it easy to transport. You'll need to opt for the Deluxe package ($595) to include the solar filter, or choose the Classic package and separately add the 'UHC/ND solar filter' and 'filter adapter' to hit a total of just over $500. You can buy the Dwarf 2 direct from the manufacturer here or compare prices from other retailers here
For more information on the 2024 solar eclipse, take a look at this guide from NASA here
About the Author
Anthony Robinson, the founder and owner of Skies & Scopes, is a passionate authority on amateur astronomy and astrophotography. His work has graced publications like Amateur Astrophotography, Forbes, the Guardian, DIY Photography, PetaPixel, and Digital Camera World 3.
For more information or to connect with Anthony, check out:
- Bluesky
- The ZWO Seestar S50, a smart telescope, is an ideal choice for photographing the 2024 Solar Eclipse, boasting top-notch solar imaging abilities and being relatively affordable for most.
- With the Seestar S50, you can capture continuous images of the sun while watching the eclipse visually, making it simpler for amateurs to capture stellar images.
- The ZWO Seestar S50 is easy to use during the eclipse event, requiring just setup, connecting with the Seestar app, activating Solar mode, and snapping photos or videos.
- Smart telescopes like the ZWO Seestar S50 merge telescopes and cameras, offering an affordable and user-friendly option for space and astronomy enthusiasts interested in astrophotography.
- Smart-home devices, gadgets, and technology, such as the ZWO Seestar S50, are revolutionizing the field of astronomy and astrophotography by making complex celestial events like the 2024 Solar Eclipse more accessible to the average person.
