After the success of the Stellina and Vespera smart telescopes, Vaonis introduces its latest innovation: Hestia
Hestia, a smartphone-turned-smart-telescope, has surpassed its funding goal in just two days. With over $500,000 pledged, Hestia is already a hit with astronomy enthusiasts. Hestia allows users to unlock the universe by capturing stunning images of the Sun, the Moon, and deep sky objects. Guided by the Gravity app, users can point out celestial objects using an interactive sky map.
With Hestia, you can:
- Capture the Sun safely
- Observe the upcoming 2024 solar eclipse
- See the Moon in incredible detail
- View deep sky objects like the Orion nebula, the Andromeda galaxy, and the Pleiades.
Reminiscent of the shape and weight of a book, the new Vaonis telescope is based on an optical system consisting of a 30 mm (1.18 in) lens and prisms to collect and focus the light directly into the camera sensor of a smartphone.
Users position their smartphone on the device and align the phone’s camera with Hestia’s eyepiece. The instrument is designed to accommodate all sizes of smartphone thanks to a system of removable magnets. Guided by the Gravity by Vaonis companion app, future astronomers can then point out celestial objects using an interactive sky map and observe the Sun, the Moon and deep sky objects phone screen, including the Orion nebula, the Andromeda galaxy, the Pleiades , and much more.
With Kickstarter prices starting at just $149, Hestia is making smart telescopes even more accessible to people curious about discovering and understanding the sky around them. On 8 April 2024, the eagerly anticipated total solar eclipse will cross the United States from coast to coast. Hestia will be the ideal instrument for a closer and safe look at the eclipse, immortalizing the rarest and most fascinating celestial phenomenon humanity has ever witnessed.
. The Hestia telescope will be available for pre-order on Kickstarter as of July 18, starting $149.
Hopefully we get one in for a full review.