tiny1 aims to be the smallest, smartest and most social astronomy camera

tiny1 aims to be the smallest, smartest and most social astronomy camera

tinyMOS announced that ‘Tiny1’, their smallest, smartest and most social gadget in astronomy camera technology, has just surpassed its target on a popular crowdfunding platform.

the tiny1 camera is aiming the be the world’s smallest, smartest astronomy camera

the pocket-sized astronomer uses a proprietary noise-reduction algorithm the company says will allow for improved image quality in low-light environments, plus an augmented reality star map that can lay over the touchscreen viewfinder to help identify stars and planets while shooting. tinyMOS claims that these features will lead to better results than using a smartphone, but with a greater ease-of-use than a traditional full-size DSLR rig intended for astrophotography.

makes use of a noise-reduction algorithm formatted for night sky photography

in addition to pre-ordering the ‘Tiny1’ camera, users can download the ‘TinyMOS’ demo app, to experience the advanced camera features such as an augmented reality star map. it has been making waves since the first look was released in september 2015 at tech crunch, san francisco. the pocket-sized gadget removes the need for heavy and complex astronomy equipment such as the telescope, so that the everyday person can get started with the basic kit. it was described by former JPL scientist dr. bidushi bhattacharya as a ‘hubble in your hands’.

an everyday person can make use of its user-friendly interface

‘launching Tiny1 through crowdfunding was a conscious choice’, said grey tan, tinyMOS’ CEO. ‘right from the beginning, our aim has been to grow the astronomy community and allow more people to experience the excitement and wonderment of imaging the night sky. crowdfunding allows the community to contribute and play a part in the process’.

crowdfunding the project was a decision to engage and grow the astronomy community

the new app, called ‘TinyMOS Demo’, mimics the user interface that will be seen on the astronomy camera. it features has an augmented reality star map, which helps users search for and point towards planets and constellations. this will be a boon for people who are new to astronomy and do not know exactly where to point at in the night sky.

view of the sun taken on the pocket-sized camera