/seestar_run

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seestar_run.md

Version: 1.0.0b1

Tested Firmware: 2.25

Overview:

This document details seestar_run, a companion application for the Seestar mobile app, written on python to be used in most modern OS. It showcases programmatic control of the Seestar S50, enabling tasks like:

  • Mosaic captures
  • Night session planning
  • Custom target capture
  • Spectral image capture over extended frames

Requirements:

Usage:

  1. Setup: Ensure Seestar calibration is complete.
  2. Install Python: Follow the link above if not already installed.
  3. Run Commands: Use PowerShell for Windows or python in other OS and run the following command:
python seestar_run.py <ip_address> <target_name> <ra> <dec> <is_use_LP_filter> <session_time> <RA panel size> <Dec panel size> <RA offset factor> <Dec offset factor>

Parameters:

  • ip_address: Seestar's IP address (found in "Advanced Feature -> RTSP Address").
  • target_name: Target name. During mosaics, saved format is <target_name>_<RA_panel_num>_<Dec_panel_num>.
  • ra: Target's RA value (JNow). Can be a float or a string format of "hr:mm:ss.s". If negative, uses current Sky Atlas location.
  • dec: Target's Dec value (JNow). Can be a float or a string format of "<sign>deg:mm:ss.s". <sign> is optional
  • is_use_LP_filter: Set to 1 for light pollution filter usage.
  • session_time: Capture session duration per panel in seconds (not integration time).
  • RA and Dec panel size: Number of panels in a mosaic.
  • RA and Dec offset factors: Distance between mosaic panels, lower values will have more overlaps

Examples:

  • Custom target capture:
python seestar_run.py 192.168.110.30 'Castor_Kai' 7.602 31.83 0 60 1 1 1 1
python seestar_run.py 192.168.110.30 'Castor_Kai' -1 -1 0 60 1 1 1 1
python seestar_run.py 192.168.110.30 'Castor' '7:24:32.5' '-41:24:23.5' 0 60 2 2 1.0 1.0
python seestar_run.py 192.168.110.30 'Castor' '7:24:32.5' '+41:24:23.5' 0 60 2 2 1.0 1.0
python seestar_run.py 192.168.110.30 'Castor' '7:24:32.5' '41:24:23.5' 0 60 2 2 1.0 1.0
  • Mosaic capture:
python seestar_run.py 192.168.110.30 'Castor_Kai' 7.602 31.83 0 60 2 3 1.2 1.1

  • Multiple target capture: Create a batch file with multiple command lines using the above format.

  • Night session planning: Use sleep commands in a batch file to schedule captures.

  • External target setting:

    1. Set the target using Seestar App, Stellarium, or other tools.
    2. Use a negative value for <ra> in the seestar_run command:
python seestar_run.py 192.168.110.30 'Castor' -1.0 -1.0 0 60 1 1 1 1

Feedback:

Please report bugs and share feedback on the this github repo or in the Discord channel:

https://discord.com/channels/1204838310841815040/1207422275960176650

Enjoy and good luck!