Anna
Updated :
During public astronomy events, such as star parties, it is common to invite visitors to follow the telescope’s live view using their own devices. Unistellar telescopes allow one person (the operator) to control the telescope and up to nine additional users (observers) to see the live images through the app without taking control.
However, some organizers have reported issues when too many visitors try to connect at the same time. In these cases, the network can become overloaded, causing the operator to lose connection or even control of the telescope.
What are the limits?
- One operator (who has full control of the telescope)
- Up to nine observers (who can only see the live images)
- If more than nine people attempt to connect, unexpected issues may occur, including the operator losing access
Why does this happen?
The telescope creates its own Wi-Fi network, and its bandwidth is limited. When too many devices try to connect, this can saturate the network, interrupting communication with the telescope and potentially kicking the operator offline. This is more likely in crowded or urban environments where other Wi-Fi signals create additional interference.
Best practices for public events
- Do not encourage every visitor to connect individually to the telescope’s Wi-Fi network
- Instead, consider casting the app’s view to a larger screen (TV, projector, or tablet) so everyone can see the images without needing to connect
- See our article: How to Cast the App on a Larger Screen
- Secure your telescope’s Wi-Fi network with a password to limit connections to authorized devices
- Reserve the observer mode for a small group of participants if you want them to see the images on their own phones, and explain that the operator must stay connected at all times
- Make sure you understand the operator/observer roles:
Check for app updates while you still have an internet connection the day before the star party, to avoid any hiccups or surprises during the event
Additional notes
- The telescope does not need Internet to operate. It works with its own local Wi-Fi. Learn more here: How Do I Control My UNISTELLAR Telescope?
- If you do plan to allow multiple observers, do a quick test before the event to make sure everyone can connect reliably without affecting the operator’s control