Seestar S50 All-In-One Smart Telescope by ZWO

With the Seestar S50 from ZWO, you can take stunning images of the Moon, Sun, galaxies and nebulae at an affordable price point. The Seestar S50 weighs just 6.6 lbs (3 kg), meaning you can take it truly anywhere. With the free mobile app, you can set up, shoot, and share photos of space in minutes — no astronomy experience or dark skies required!

Who is the Seestar S50 for?
The Seestar S50 is perfect for anyone interested in astronomy, even those with no astronomy experience, like kids. Experienced astronomers, astrophotographers, and electronically-assisted astronomy (EAA) users will find the Seestar S50 refreshingly simple and portable compared to traditional telescope setups. Traditional astrophotography rigs have a steep learning curve, are heavy, and not to mention expensive. The Seestar S50 changes that — it's easy to use, ultra portable, and very affordable for everything it offers.

How does the Seestar S50 work?
The Seestar S50 works by using a built-in telescope, camera, tracking mount, focuser, and more equipment into one unit that pairs with an app on your smartphone. It has four capture modes: Stargazing, Moon, Sun, and Scenery:

Stargazing Mode
In Stargazing mode, the Seestar S50 will first automatically figure out where the telescope is pointing in the sky. Then, using star maps, it can find any object visible from your location and begin tracking it with the built-in mount. It will even recommend the best objects available on any given night!

Once you hit the record button, the Seestar S50 will begin capturing images. For faint objects like galaxies and nebulae, the SeeStar uses a technique called live stacking to brighten the image and reduce noise. As each new image rolls in, the image quality will greatly improve. After just a few minutes, you’ll have an image ready for sharing on social media!

Moon, Sun, & Scenery Modes
In the additional Moon, Sun, and Scenery modes, you can even take videos of the Moon, Sun, and daytime objects like landscapes and wildlife. Be sure to attach the included solar filter when using the Seestar S50 in Sun Mode. The Seestar S50 is not equipped to capture detailed images of planets, but you'll be able to see craters on the Moon and detailed sunspots on the Sun.

Seestar Mobile App & Sky Atlas
The Seestar app is free, and you use it to control the smart telescope and download your images. The app features a star map, image editor, community sharing feature, weather, moon phase, and a database of celestial objects including that night's best targets. The Seestar app is regularly updated by ZWO bringing both software and firmware updates that improve its capabilities and experience.

Telescope & Optics
The Seestar S50 features a high quality, triplet apochromatic refractor telescope that produces ultra-sharp images. Triplet refractors can correct for chromatic aberration, also known as color fringing. Most other smart telescopes in this price range feature a doublet design, which are prone to poor color fringing. The Seestar S50 focal length is 250mm with an aperture of 50mm for a resulting focal ratio of f/5.

Image Sensor
The Seestar S50 uses the popular IMX462 sensor, which produces a full HD 1920x1080 resolution. Paired with this camera, the Seestar S50's focal length produces a desirable field of view of the night sky while still allowing for full disc images of the Moon and Sun. It’s also great for most other popular objects like the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy. The resulting field of view is 1.29º x 0.73º, which is ideal for capturing a wide variety of deep sky objects.

Tracking Mount
The mount on the S50 is an altitude azimuth mount, or alt-az for short. This mount features the ability to find and track any object in the night sky plus the Sun. Once you select the object you wish to capture, the mount will automatically point to it and keep it centered for long exposure astrophotography.

Filters
The Seestar S50 features multiple filters designed to give you the best images possible: a light pollution filter, a solar filter, and a dark frame filter.

Light Pollution Filter
The built-in light pollution filter is a dual-band filter that can capture incredible images of narrowband objects. This includes emission nebulae like the Orion Nebula (M42), planetary nebulae like The Dumbbell Nebula (M27), and supernova remnants like the Veil Nebula (NGC 6960). You can enable the light pollution filter with the tap of a switch within the app settings.

Using the S50 without the Light Pollution Filter
For capturing broadband targets, we recommend leaving the light pollution filter disabled. You’ll get the best results for broadband targets by traveling to a dark location, but it’s by no means required to get good images. Some popular broadband targets include the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), the Hercules Star Cluster (M13), and the Pleiades Star Cluster (M45).

White Light Solar Filter
The solar filter can provide stunning images of the Sun and even reveal details like sunspots on the surface! The solar filter for the Seestar S50 can be found in the case. Unlike the Light Pollution Filter, it is not built in and must be physically mounted onto the front of the SeeStar in front of the lens. Do not point the Seestar S50 at the Sun without the solar filter attached as the image sensor will become permanently damaged. This filter is made from Solarlite solar film manufactured by Thousand Oaks Optical in the USA and ISO certified for visual (although that is not the intended application here) or imaging use.

Dark Frame Filter
The dark filter is automatically used to improve your deep sky images. By taking blank, black images of the noise inherently in the camera, the SeeStar software can subtract this noise from deep sky images, which results in a much cleaner final image.

China

Note: Occasionally, the product you receive might have a slightly different cosmetic appearance or labeling than what is shown. This can often change from batch to batch according to the whims of the manufacturer. However, you will always receive a brand new, original product as described above.

Back to Top

A. Payment: You can pay via any payment method that eBay accepts.

B. Shipping Method: United States Postal Service (USPS) or United Parcel Service (UPS) at your choice and expense (our choice if the item has free shipping option). eBay orders for items over $1,500 can only ship via UPS.

C. Order Processing Time: Orders received by 12 noon Mon – Fri US Pacific Time generally ship on the same business day. Orders received after 12 noon PT or on weekends/holidays will ship by the next business day.

D. Checkout: Please pay for the item(s) within 3 days from your account on eBay or by using the link in the email you receive from eBay.

E. Shipping Discount: We offer combined shipping if you order multiple quantities/items and if items can be combined. eBay will automatically show you the correct combined/discounted shipping costs when you check-out.

F. Combining Purchases: You can combine shipping for items purchased from us on eBay within 3 days. Buy the items individually and check out together for all items. eBay will combine the shipping weights and show you the discounted shipping cost. You must check out for all items together via eBay for this. We cannot combine shipping costs if you check out individually for your purchases.

G. Sales Tax/VAT: Sales tax or VAT may be charged and collected by eBay as required by law based on your ship-to address and local tax/VAT rates. Please check with eBay.

Back to Top

A. Delivery Time:

• USPS First Class shipments will generally take 3-5 business days to arrive after we ship it. Priority Mail shipments will generally take 2-3 business days. However, these delivery times are NOT guaranteed by the USPS. Delays of up to 2 (or sometimes even 3) weeks can occur in about 5% of the shipments due to Covid, operational, or other issues.
• UPS shipments will generally take between 1 and 6 business days to be delivered depending on the method you select.

USPS and UPS do NOT offer any refunds for shipping/delivery delays for ANY reason (except for UPS Next Day Air service). Delays are out of our control once your order ships.

B. Tracking/Delivery Confirmation:eBay will update you once your order ships. You can see the order status or tracking information/link from your eBay account at any time.

C. USPS Tracking Limitations: Please note that is common for USPS tracking to show “Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item” or “Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending” even several days after your order ships. This does not mean that there is a problem with your order or that we have not handed over your package to USPS yet. This simply means that your package is en route without an outbound scan and tracking will not be updated until the package reaches a distribution center at your end several days later.

Back to Top

A. Shipping Cost: Click on the "Shipping and Payments" tab above and select your country to see your shipping choices and cost. If you need a shipping cost estimate for multiple items, please contact us.

B. Delivery Time:

Please note that eBay’s delivery estimates shown are generally too optimistic!

1. UPS (All Shipping Methods):

• We strongly recommend the use of UPS for international orders due to issues related to the ongoing Covid situation. Delivery time usually varies between 3-7 business days depending on your country and the exact shipping method you select.

2. USPS First Class International:

• First class packages will usually be carried by GlobalPost (a USPS international delivery partner) for most of the way. Delivery at your end will be handled by your local postal service.
• Delivery generally takes about 3-4 weeks after we ship your package. This can frequently take 4-6 weeks or more for several countries (8 weeks for Italy, Argentina, and South Africa; 8-12 weeks for Brazil).
• There is very limited tracking available for 1^st class shipments and there is no inquiry/tracing service. Once your package ships, we can do nothing but wait until your package arrives. Please do not become impatient and contact us in 2-3 weeks if your package has not arrived. If you don't receive the package in 6-8 weeks, contact us and we will work with you to resolve the issue.
• If you don't want to take the risk of this delay or lack of tracking, DO NOT USE First Class mail - use Priority or Express shipping, or better still, UPS instead.
• Packages are not considered lost unless 60 days have elapsed from the date of shipment.

3. USPS Priority Mail International: Delivery takes about 2 weeks to most countries after we ship your package. This can sometimes take 3-4 weeks to several countries. The USPS provides some basic tracking information for Priority shipping. Packages are not considered lost unless 60 days have elapsed from the date of shipment.

4. USPS Express Mail International: Delivery usually takes 5-10 business days after we ship your package. Packages are not considered lost unless 30 days have elapsed from the date of shipment.

Again, these delivery times are NOT guaranteed by the US Postal Service. The most common reason for delays is slow customs inspection and clearance in your country, and can be very long, even for Express mail packages. Upon shipping your order, delivery delays are beyond our control, so do not leave us negative feedback or file a claim if your package is delayed. Delays are quite common but losses are very rare, so your patience and understanding will be greatly appreciated.

C. Brokerage Fees, Customs and Duties:

• You are responsible for any carrier brokerage fees and duties/taxes that may be levied in your country. These are not included in our item price or shipping cost. UPS brokerage fees can be quite hefty.
• We have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be or if they will be levied upon delivery.
• Customs policies vary widely from country to country (Some countries such as UK are strict about imposing hefty customs duties). It is your responsibility to check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying.
• Customs fees are normally charged by the delivery company or your country's postal service or collected when you pick the item up. These fees are NOT additional shipping charges.

A. US Orders: Returns must be shipped back within 30 days. All returned items must be in brand new, resalable condition with original manufacturer’s packaging. A minimum restocking fee of 10% will be deducted if there is any evidence of use or wear, dirt, scratches, missing packaging/parts, etc. We may levy a larger restocking fee if the condition warrants it, or even refuse returns entirely if returned in heavily used/abused condition. Shipping fees are non-refundable (for items with free or discounted fixed shipping, the actual outbound S&H cost we incurred will be deducted) and you are responsible for all return shipping costs. Please contact us first before returning an item.

B. International Orders: No returns/exchanges accepted unless the item we shipped is defective. Please research the product and ask us any questions BEFORE you purchase to make sure you are buying the correct item for your needs.

Back to Top