A year long dream has come true. Along with some friends we have successfully deployed a ZWO Seestar S50 and S30 smart telescopes in Zimbabwe Africa. How we got to this point is a long and interesting story.
It all started on December 1, 2024 when I met Brian Garhammer, a retired commercial pilot which I met through The Southern Cross Astronomical Society. When we met, I told him how I had a Seestar S50 connected remotely at Star Front Remote Observatories in Rockwood, TX. He mentioned that he had a good friend John Simpson in Zimbabwe that would be interested in making his land available for a remote smart telescope, especially if I knew how to set it all up. Just one problem, how would we get the telescope, mount and accessories to Africa?
Brian mentioned to me that John was looking to purchase a Cessna Caravan single engine airplane that he would fly to Zimbabwe. In February, Brian found a plane and the purchase was made. From February to late September the Cessna was updated and ready to fly to its new home in Zimbabwe.
After shipping all the needed gear and accessories about the Cessna, it was time to get everything set up and installed.
Here are some of the first images captured with the Seestar S50 in alt az mode from the Southern Hemisphere. As of the date of this posting, it is Summer time in the Southern Hemisphere and the rainy season has begun. Soon it will be winter down in Lake Kariba and the nights will be crisp, very clear and very dark. I am so looking forward to it.
