From Solar Observation to Space Exploration: Seestar S30 Pro at European Rover Challenge 2026
From September 4–6, 2026, the European Rover Challenge (ERC) brought together teams, researchers, engineers, students, and space enthusiasts from around the world in Krakow, Poland. Among the technologies and activities on display, visitors also had the opportunity to explore the night sky and observe the Sun through Seestar.
Our community partner PTMA (Polish Amateur Astronomical Society) brought the Seestar S30 Pro to the event for live solar observation, turning a compact smart telescope into an accessible gateway to observing the Sun, astrophotography, and conversations about the broader possibilities of astronomical observation.
Making Astronomy More Accessible
For many people, observing the Sun through a telescope can be their first direct experience of astronomy.
At ERC, PTMA brought the Seestar S30 Pro — provided by ZWO — to the event for live solar observation, alongside other Seestar units. A solar astronomy expert was also on site to explain what visitors were seeing on the tablet, including the Sun and its sunspots.
The combination of automated operation, live imaging, and an intuitive viewing experience made it possible for visitors to engage with astronomical observation without needing extensive prior experience with traditional telescope equipment.
Instead of astronomy being something people only experience through photographs or explanations, visitors could see the Sun live, ask questions, and explore astronomical objects together.
A Smart Telescope in a Space & Robotics Environment
The European Rover Challenge is naturally a technology-focused environment, attracting people with interests and expertise in space exploration, robotics, engineering, physics, and other STEM fields.
That made the Seestar demonstration particularly interesting.
Beyond solar observation, PTMA also showcased deep-sky images captured with Seestar, giving visitors a glimpse of what the telescope can achieve after sunset.
According to the PTMA team, visitor interest exceeded their expectations, with queues for the Seestar demonstration lasting for hours during the busiest periods. Visitors came not only from Poland, but from different countries attending the international event.
For a product designed to simplify astronomical observation, this kind of environment offers an interesting opportunity: bringing accessible astronomy into conversations that extend beyond traditional amateur astronomy.
From Observation to Scientific Exploration
One of the most interesting conversations at the event was around the potential applications of smart telescopes in scientific observation.
Visitors with backgrounds in technology, robotics, physics, and engineering also showed interest in potential applications such as photometry and other forms of astronomical data collection.
While Seestar is designed primarily for accessible astronomical observation and imaging, these conversations highlighted the potential for smart telescopes to support educational projects, observational experiments, and other astronomy-related activities.
More Than a Telescope: A Tool for Sharing Discovery
Perhaps the most memorable part of the ERC demonstration was not a particular image, but the interaction between the telescope and the people around it.
Families stopped to look at the Sun. Students asked questions. Astronomy enthusiasts compared observations. Engineers and technology professionals discussed potential applications. Children experienced live astronomical observation alongside their parents.
A smart telescope can be more than a device for capturing images. At events like ERC, it can become a shared window into the universe, allowing people with different levels of knowledge and experience to explore the same object together.
That makes it especially relevant not only to individual astrophotographers, but also to astronomy clubs, STEM educators, public events, science communicators, and communities working to make astronomy more approachable.
Looking Ahead
The response at ERC 2026 also gave PTMA a reason to think bigger.
The team also shared that they are already considering a larger Seestar presence at next year's event, supported by more volunteers and additional preparation.
For ZWO and Seestar, experiences like this demonstrate the value of working with local astronomy communities. Community-led demonstrations can bring the technology into environments where people are not necessarily looking for a telescope, but are already curious about space, science, and exploration.
From a solar observation shared with a family to a technical discussion about photometry with an engineer, there are many ways a smart telescope can become a starting point for discovering more about the universe.
And sometimes, that discovery starts with simply looking up.
Event: European Rover Challenge 2026
Location: Krakow, Poland
Date: September 4–6, 2026
Community Partner: PTMA (Polish Amateur Astronomical Society)
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