The Vaonis Vespera II is a smart telescope, meaning it can perform a wide range of astronomy functions automatically.
When these were first introduced, they were rather expensive for their size and the image quality they produced, but that has all changed as more have entered the market.
Smart telescopes are becoming recognised as an interesting option for beginners and a great tool for outreach.
Vespera II vs Vespera I
The Vespera II differs from the earlier Vespera I in several aspects, most notably an increase in sensor size (from 2MP to 8.3MP) and a longer focal length of 250mm over the original 200mm.
Vaonis has also increased the overall field of view by 1.56x and improved field correction.
Our first impression was excellent as we admired its modern design, with soft curves and a smooth white finish.
However, while a very attractive and futuristic appearance is one thing, we were keen to test its imaging credentials.
Unboxing and setting up
Vaonis’s control app, Singularity, is free to download and is designed for both iOS and Android smartphones.
Essential for operating the Vespera II, we downloaded it ready for our next clear night.
Through it our smartphone becomes our ‘eyepiece’ and, due to the Vespera II's automatic stacking function, we looked forward to it developing our targets, exposure by exposure.
However, like any other telescope and mount, we first had to set up the Vespera II.
We found this a very simple process as, unlike a normal telescope, the unit does much of it itself.
All we had to do was place it on a tripod (not supplied as standard) with a 3/8-inch fitting, turn it on and connect our smartphone to the smart scope’s own Wi-Fi network.
The operating system did the rest.
How it performs
Our location was automatically extracted from our smartphone’s GPS system and the telescope unfolded from its closed position.
The Vespera II then takes a photograph of the sky to determine through plate solving where it’s pointing and autofocuses its camera.
It was then ready for us to choose our first target.
This process took between three and five minutes, after which the image of our first object started building up in full colour on our smartphone.
The process worked consistently well, particularly at nighttime. We had also been provided with the optional solar filter, although we noted that the Vespera II took longer trying to locate the Sun in daylight than it did our nighttime targets.
The only glitch that we came across in our time with the Vespera II was when we asked it to refocus: occasionally the refocus wasn’t as sharp as the initial attempt.
However, this was easy to correct by issuing the focus command a second time.
Regarding focus generally, we did feel that images were a little soft, but this was not enough to spoil the excitement of watching each image develop over time, and we were generally very pleased with the results.
The automatic stacking made compelling viewing and means that the telescope is ideal for sharing observations in nearly real time with others.
Because the images are available on your phone at the touch of a button, you can share them with your friends via social media, there and then.
Vespera II for astrophotography
Although image quality was reasonably good, especially when considering the short focal length,
we did feel that a dedicated imaging system – using separate, well-chosen components – would still have produced better results.
However, the immediacy of observing images developing right in front of us is brilliant for those new to photographing the heavens or those taking part in outreach.
Experienced astrophotographers would most likely find the system wanting in terms of image noise and sharpness.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time with the Vespera II, which has features that make it a good step-up from the Vespera I.
Newcomers to astronomy will appreciate the rapid set-up time and the quick path to capturing impressive images.
Automatic stacking
Deep-sky astrophotographers know the value of image stacking.
The process of capturing many images of the same object and combining them into a single image for processing dramatically improves the signal-to-noise ratio, producing results with boosted detail and colour.
The Vespera II makes use of this technology, but adds a nice twist in that its built-in computer stacks your captured images on the fly, so you’ll see the image on your smartphone improving before your eyes as more images are added to the stack.
At any time during this process, you can click on the ‘camera’ button to save the image in its current state as an 8-bit JPEG
You can also elect to save each individual sub-frame as either a 16-bit TIFF or FITS file, so that you can stack and process the data yourself on a PC.
An additional feature allows you to produce a stacked mosaic automatically, which increases the field of view and allows you to adjust the framing and orientation of the final image.
Vespera II best features
Optics
The 50mm-aperture optics comprise four lens elements, including extra-low dispersion FPL2 glass, yielding a focal length of 250mm, with good colour and field correction. With the built-in camera, this gave a generous field of view of 2.5° x 1.4°, making it suitable for lunar and deep-sky objects but not planets.
Camera
Vespera II’s built-in camera has a Sony IMX 585 CMOS colour sensor with a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels. The size of the pixels is 2.9µm, making the sensor size 11.2 x 6.3mm (12.9mm diagonal). Despite the short focal length of the telescope, the sensor produces an acceptable sampling rate of 2.4 arcseconds/pixel.
Single-arm mount
The basic ‘Solo Pack’ ships without the table-top tripod that other ordering options include, so we used our own tripod with a 3/8-inch fitting. Once firmly mounted, the telescope rotated smoothly and quietly on its azimuth base. Object location and tracking worked well, providing the tripod’s top was perfectly level.
Wi-Fi network
As soon as the telescope is switched on, it generates its own wireless network with a range of at least 10 metres. This allows you to set it up outside in the garden and operate all its functions from inside – a real bonus on very cold nights!
Singularity app
The Singularity app is compatible with smartphones or tablets, and provides a wide range of control functions, including alignment and autofocusing. The app also includes local weather forecasts, suggested objects to view, a library of 4,300 objects to choose from, information about each object and interesting astronomy facts to keep newcomers engaged.
Vital stats
- Price: From €1590 (Solo Pack without tripod)
- Optics: Apo quadruplet refractor with field corrector
- Aperture: 50mm
- Focal length: 250mm, f/5
- Sensor: Sony IMX585 CMOS
- Mount: Motorised altaz Go-To
- Ports: USB-C, Wi-Fi
- App control: Vaonis Singularity
- Extras: Cloth protective slip bag
- Weight: 5kg
- Supplier: Vaonis
- Tel: +33 484980021
This review appeared in the July 2024 issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine
