Competition for a Seestar S30 Pro smart telescope

ZWO has launched an exciting international competition for all astrophotography fans - the Seestar S30 Pro Post-Processing Challenge. It's not about shooting in the field, but about creative processing of raw astronomical data. And the prize? The latest model of the Seestar S30 Pro smart telescope .

What the competition is all about

ZWO has released the official FITS files taken with the Seestar S30 Pro, specifically:

• M31 - Galaxy in Andromeda
• Milky Way

The challenge for the contestants is to process this data in their own style and show how they can create an impressive cosmic image from ordinary raw data. It doesn't matter if you already own a Seestar or are waiting for one - anyone can get involved.

There are no limits to creativity

The organizers have clearly defined the rules to make the playing field fair for all: cropping, stretching and color editing are allowed, and there is no limit to the number of entries. On the other hand, external data or content generated by artificial intelligence is prohibited

Processing and attention to detail are crucial, not additional "enhancement" of data from other sources.

How to enter the competition

The procedure is simple:

1. Download and process only official FITS files from ZWO
2. Post the result on Facebook with the hashtag #SeestarS30ProChallenge
3. Follow @Seestar Facebook page
4. Add a short description - what software was used and the main processing steps

ZWO will then start collecting links to the entries, which should be submitted using this form only . Starting February 9, they will begin to evaluate engagement, i.e. community interaction - likes, reactions, etc.

Competition schedule

• Entries: January 10:00 a.m. - February 7 10:00 a.m.
• Announcement of winners: February 10:00

Prizes for the winners

Two winners will be announced:

🏆 1× Seestar S30 Pro - Best M31 Processing
🏆 1× Seestar S30 Pro - Best Milky Way Processing

Decided by the community

The interesting thing about the contest is that the winners are not chosen by the jury, but by the community itself. It is the number and activity of responses that will decide who will take home the new Seestar.

Will you try to win?

The Seestar S30 Pro Post-Processing Challenge is a great opportunity to learn/test your post-processing skills, compare your style with others, and have a chance to win a high-end astronomical instrument. If you enjoy astrophotography and working with FITS data, this challenge is definitely worth your attention.