ZWO Seestar S30 Pro: how long to image deep-sky targets
The S30 optics upgraded to a quadruplet in front of an 8 MP IMX585. Same speed per pixel as the S30, four times the pixels, so you can crop hard.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Aperture | 30 mm |
| Focal length | 160 mm (f/5.3) |
| Sensor | Sony IMX585, 3840 × 2160, 2.9 µm pixels |
| Pixel scale | 3.74″ per pixel |
| Field of view | 3.99° × 2.24° (239′ × 135′) |
| Sub exposures | 10 s, 20 s, 30 s (default 10 s) |
| Filter | Built-in filter wheel with dual-band filter. |
| Read noise used | 1 e⁻ |
Popular targets
| Target | Bortle 4 | Bortle 6 | Bortle 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy | 50 min300 subs | 1 h 41 min609 subs | 4 h 40 min1,678 subs |
| Orion NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 12 min73 subs | 15 min89 subs | 24 min146 subs |
| PleiadesReflection nebula | 1 h 30 min541 subs | 3 h 08 min1,127 subs | 8 h 45 min3,152 subs |
| Whirlpool GalaxyGalaxy | 35 min209 subs | 1 h 08 min407 subs | 3 h 02 min1,094 subs |
| Bode's GalaxyGalaxy | 37 min222 subs | 1 h 14 min444 subs | 3 h 22 min1,210 subs |
| Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy | 2 h 31 min908 subs | 5 h 21 min1,927 subs | 15 h5,446 subs |
| Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster | 5 min31 subs | 8 min51 subs | 20 min123 subs |
| Dumbbell NebulaPlanetary nebula, dual-band | 20 min118 subs | 24 min144 subs | 39 min232 subs |
| Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula, dual-band | 7 min43 subs | 8 min49 subs | 11 min69 subs |
| Lagoon NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 19 min113 subs | 24 min142 subs | 40 min240 subs |
| Eagle NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 56 min338 subs | 1 h 14 min442 subs | 2 h 13 min798 subs |
| Omega NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 16 min98 subs | 20 min121 subs | 34 min203 subs |
| Trifid NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 41 min245 subs | 53 min317 subs | 1 h 34 min564 subs |
| Triangulum GalaxyGalaxy | 1 h 30 min541 subs | 3 h 08 min1,127 subs | 8 h 45 min3,152 subs |
| North America NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 1 h 18 min470 subs | 1 h 43 min619 subs | 3 h 09 min1,135 subs |
| Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant, dual-band | 1 h 25 min510 subs | 1 h 52 min674 subs | 3 h 26 min1,239 subs |
| Eastern Veil NebulaSupernova remnant, dual-band | 1 h 12 min433 subs | 1 h 35 min569 subs | 2 h 53 min1,039 subs |
| Elephant's Trunk NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 2 h 09 min776 subs | 2 h 53 min1,036 subs | 5 h 22 min1,932 subs |
| Iris NebulaReflection nebula | 1 h 04 min384 subs | 2 h 12 min790 subs | 6 h 05 min2,191 subs |
| Pacman NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 1 h 32 min555 subs | 2 h 02 min734 subs | 3 h 46 min1,354 subs |
| Heart NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 2 h 33 min920 subs | 3 h 25 min1,232 subs | 6 h 25 min2,309 subs |
| Rosette NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 1 h 18 min470 subs | 1 h 43 min619 subs | 3 h 09 min1,135 subs |
| Horsehead NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 1 h 49 min656 subs | 2 h 25 min872 subs | 4 h 29 min1,617 subs |
| Flame NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 30 min179 subs | 38 min229 subs | 1 h 06 min399 subs |
| California NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 1 h 49 min656 subs | 2 h 25 min872 subs | 4 h 29 min1,617 subs |
| Helix NebulaPlanetary nebula, dual-band | 1 h 49 min656 subs | 2 h 25 min872 subs | 4 h 29 min1,617 subs |
| Double ClusterOpen cluster | 5 min30 subs | 5 min30 subs | 6 min39 subs |
| NGC 891Galaxy | 1 h 32 min550 subs | 3 h 10 min1,143 subs | 8 h 52 min3,192 subs |
| Sombrero GalaxyGalaxy | 29 min172 subs | 54 min327 subs | 2 h 24 min862 subs |
| Sunflower GalaxyGalaxy | 56 min339 subs | 1 h 55 min688 subs | 5 h 15 min1,891 subs |
All 170 targets have a page for the Seestar S30 Pro.
Getting the most from the Seestar S30 Pro
20 s and 30 s subs need EQ mode. Built-in filter wheel with dual-band filter.
Longer subs matter most under dark skies, where read noise rather than skyglow sets the floor. From a city the difference between 10 s and 30 s subs is small; from a rural site it can halve the total time, especially with a dual-band filter in place.
Stack across nights. Every smart scope app can continue a stack or you can combine the saved frames on a computer; the figures here are totals, not single-session limits.
Useful gear
Power, dew control and a stable tripod are what stop a long session early. Search links, not specific endorsements; check fit for your model.