Capturing Deep Sky Objects: Smart Telescopes vs. Traditional Setups
Hello fellow observers of the night sky! Whether you be an experienced, working astronomer or simply a weekend observer, there is something unique about gazing into the stars while photographing those very hard-to-find “deep-sky” objects; galaxies, nebulas and star clusters. This week we will discuss one of many ongoing debates among amateur astronomers as to whether smart telescopes perform better than regular (or traditional) telescopes in capturing images of the deep-sky.
Smart Telescopes: Space Exploration Simplified
They want to create an easy-to-use system for something which is an often-complex hobby, (that is) an automation of a complex hobby. Most Smart Telescopes have built-in cameras, computerized mounts and guided apps to help you find, track and photograph Deep Sky Objects with ease. It would be wonderful if you could simply point your smart phone at the sky, and let the telescope automatically find the Andromeda Galaxy, etc.
Here are a few of the most notable advantages of using Smart Scopes:
- The user does not need to be an expert to take high-quality photographs.
- The use of Smart Telescopes is relatively simple as the user interface typically walks you through selecting a target and aligning the scope with some basic step-by-step instructions.
- Most of the Smart Telescopes are made to provide for impromptu Stargazing.
Built-In Software: Many of the applications included with Smart Telescopes enable framing in Live View, Stacking, and even some Processing inside the same Application. This greatly simplifies the process of what was once a multi-step process. Although there are many wonders to Smart Telescope technology, there are still limitations. Due to their much smaller aperture sizes when compared to Traditional Systems, they do limit detail when viewing very faint objects. In addition, in very dark locations, some users may experience difficulties with their completely automated systems when trying to solve calibration or alignment problems.
The Traditional Telescope: Time-Tested and Customizable
Setting up your own equipment – using an enlarged lens or mirror (plus a separate DSLR or dedicated astrophotography camera) offers the greatest amount of control; however, this level of control can be complicated.
Systems set up like this will require knowledge on how to align and focus manually as well as the ability to adjust both polar alignment of the mount and the exposures. A steeper learning curve is associated with these types of systems, yet many are willing to invest the time due to the fun involved in the hobby.
Capturing More Light: Larger lenses or mirrors capture fainter objects and provide more detailed images of such things as the intricate arms of spiral galaxies or the subtle textures of nebulae.
Customizing Your System: When you have the ability to choose from various mounts, cameras, filters and lenses you can create a system that is customized to meet the specific needs of your objectives.
Long-Term Learning Experience: Traditional systems allow you to develop skills over time – including learning advanced image processing techniques and developing the skills to guide accurately.
Which One Is Right for You?
Smart Telescopes are perfect if you prefer to get on with things quickly (convenience), or set up easily (quick setup) and share images simply (easy sharing). These make it possible for anyone to start taking images of the universe immediately, while still providing the opportunity for you to learn about what all of your equipment can do and how best to use it – no need to read a pilot’s manual!
On the flip side, if you enjoy hands-on experimentation, and want to explore the limits of your equipment, then the traditional method offers a lot more creative freedom – plus the sense of accomplishment that comes from knowing that your nights work has paid off.
Now there is a growing movement, where both of these worlds will eventually converge. As Hybrid systems and Smarter Accessories become available, users will receive the benefit of automated features, while still having full control over their equipment. What a great time to be an Amateur Astronomer!
Final Thoughts
Smart Telescopes are perfect if you prefer to get on with things quickly (convenience), or set up easily (quick setup) and share images simply (easy sharing). These make it possible for anyone to start taking images of the universe immediately, while still providing the opportunity for you to learn about what all of your equipment can do and how best to use it – no need to read a pilot’s manual!
On the flip side, if you enjoy hands-on experimentation, and want to explore the limits of your equipment, then the traditional method offers a lot more creative freedom – plus the sense of accomplishment that comes from knowing that your nights work has paid off.
Now there is a growing movement, where both of these worlds will eventually converge. As Hybrid systems and Smarter Accessories become available, users will receive the benefit of automated features, while still having full control over their equipment. What a great time to be an Amateur Astronomer!
