Vaonis Atlas Smart Telescope

Vaonis Atlas: A Modular Platform in Single and Twin Configurations

The Vaonis Atlas is a modular smart telescope platform built around a central alt-azimuth mount that can host one or two 80mm imaging modules. This design allows you to choose your light-gathering power from day one and provides a direct path for future expansion. The platform is controlled entirely through the Gaia app on your smartphone or tablet.

The Atlas Single configuration includes the mount and one 80mm imaging module, creating a complete, portable f/4.5 astrograph. For more depth and speed, the Atlas Twin configuration populates both arms of the mount with 80mm modules. Both modules observe the same target simultaneously, doubling the light collected and achieving an f/3.2 equivalent focal ratio. You can start with the Single configuration and add a second 80mm module at any time to upgrade to the Twin setup.

The 80mm Imaging Module: A Diffraction-Limited f/4.5 Quadruplet

Each 3 kg imaging module contains a high-correction apochromatic refractor designed for astrophotography. The optical design is a corrected-Petzval quadruplet, using four lenses in three groups to deliver a flat, sharp field corrected for chromatic aberration. At an 80mm aperture and 360mm focal length, a single module operates at a fast f/4.5, ideal for capturing faint nebulae and galaxies.

The original Petzval leaves a slightly curved field and stretched stars at the edges, and the added fourth lens corrects both, covering the whole 11.2 x 6.3 mm Sony IMX585 sensor. Focusing is motorized and automatic.

8.3 MP Sony IMX585 Sensor with a 1.78° Field of View

Integrated directly into each 80mm module is a Sony IMX585 color sensor, a back-illuminated Starvis 2 chip. The sensor provides a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, or 8.3 megapixels. Paired with the 360mm focal length, the 2.9 µm pixels yield an image scale of 1.66 arcseconds per pixel, well-suited for a wide range of deep-sky objects.

The native 1.78° x 1.00° field of view frames targets such as the galaxy pair M81 and M82 or the core of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). For even larger structures like the North American Nebula (NGC 7000), the Gaia app's automated mosaic mode expands the field of view up to 3.5° x 2.00°, building a final image with a definition of up to 32 MP without requiring manual alignment.

The Twin Configuration: Doubled Light Collection at an f/3.2 Equivalent

The Atlas Twin configuration uses two 80mm imaging modules pointed at the same celestial target. The Gaia app automatically combines the data from both sensors in real-time, effectively doubling the amount of light captured in every exposure compared to the Single configuration. This increased signal gathering results in an equivalent focal ratio of f/3.2 at the same 360mm focal length.

This light-gathering advantage allows you to achieve the same image depth and signal-to-noise ratio in half the time, a significant benefit when clear nights are limited. The signal-to-noise gain is about 41 percent over the same exposure time. The field of view remains 1.78° x 1.00°, identical to a single module, but the resulting image is deeper and cleaner for the same total exposure time.

Sky Guard: A 185° All-Sky Camera for Tap-to-Point Navigation

Integrated into the Atlas mount is the Sky Guard system, a dedicated all-sky camera that transforms how you interact with the night sky. It uses a 12 MP Sony IMX676 sensor and 185° fisheye optics to provide a continuous, live view of the entire celestial sphere above you. This feed is displayed in the Gaia app with a real-time star map overlay.

Instead of searching through a catalog, you can simply tap on an object in the live sky view, and the Atlas will automatically point to it. Sky Guard also enables autonomous initialization by detecting the horizon, the Sun and the Moon, and allows you to record time-lapses of the entire night sky while the main modules are imaging a deep-sky target.

The Atlas Mount and Sky Dock: A Tool-Free 3 Gbit/s Interface

The heart of the Atlas platform is its modular mount and the proprietary Sky Dock interface. This mechanical and electronic connection allows you to attach or detach an imaging module in under five seconds without any tools; Sky Dock guarantees module alignment with no mechanical play. Each Sky Dock provides a high-speed data link of up to 3 Gbit/s per module, along with integrated power.

This modularity means the mount is a long-term platform. You can begin with a Single configuration and add a second 80mm module later to create a Twin system. The mount operates in alt-azimuth mode by default, and Vaonis has planned a future equatorial table accessory that will enable longer individual exposures by eliminating field rotation.

The Gaia App: Session Planning, Mosaics, and Multi-Night Capture

The Vaonis Atlas is controlled by the Gaia app for iOS and Android, which manages everything from alignment to final image processing. The app includes a "Plan My Night" feature that lets you build a target list during the day, which Atlas will then execute automatically that evening. The app also handles the automated creation of mosaic images for targets larger than the native field of view.

For faint targets, the app supports multi-night capture across 15 available slots, allowing you to resume imaging the same target on subsequent nights and combine the exposure time. You can share your observing session live with more than 10 simultaneous users, and export final images as JPEGs or as unprocessed 16-bit FITS and TIFF files for advanced processing.

Connectivity and Power: WiFi 6, USB-C 3.1, and 6 Hours of Battery Life

The Atlas establishes a robust connection to your device using WiFi 6 2x2 MIMO for a smooth video stream. It also has NFC and Bluetooth 5.2. A single, sealed USB-C 3.1 port handles 60 W fast charging, data transfer, and even allows for an Ethernet connection via an adapter.

A built-in, replaceable 9,000 mAh Li-ion battery provides up to 6 hours of operation with a single imaging module.

Filters and Solar: Using the 1.25" Drawer for Nebula and Sun Imaging

Each 80mm imaging module includes a filter drawer that accepts standard 1.25" mounted filters. This allows you to use light pollution filters to improve contrast from urban or suburban locations, or to employ narrowband filters (such as dual-band filters) to isolate specific emission lines from nebulae.

The Atlas can also be used for observing the Sun. A live video mode is available for both the Sun and Moon. For solar observing, a full-aperture solar filter, available as an optional accessory, must be fitted to the 80mm module. Observe the Sun only with it: never point the Atlas at the Sun without it.

Built for the Field: IP64-Rated Design for -20 °C to +40 °C Operation

Engineered for real-world observing conditions, the Atlas has a dual aluminum structure: a die-cast inner chassis and an outer protective shell machined from solid aluminum. The instrument is rated IP64, offering protection against dust ingress and water splashes from any direction. It is designed to operate reliably in a wide temperature range, from -20 °C to +40 °C.

To combat condensation on cold, damp nights, the Atlas has a built-in dew control system. An integrated humidity and temperature sensor actively monitors conditions and drives the dew heater to keep the optics clear. An electronic bubble level and an 18-LED ring guide you through leveling the tripod.

Unboxing and Setup: What's Included for Your First Night

The Vaonis Atlas arrives ready for observing. Both the Single and Twin configurations include the Atlas Mount with its integrated Sky Guard, a heavy-duty aluminum tripod, and a transport bag designed to protect the instrument.

• Atlas Single Box: Includes one 80mm imaging module, one mount extension, and one set of caps and a filter drawer.
• Atlas Twin Box: Includes two 80mm imaging modules, two mount extensions, and two sets of caps and filter drawers.
• Storage: The system's storage is expandable via microSD cards, allowing you to save your raw FITS and TIFF files.

Vaonis Atlas vs. Vespera: Aperture and Modularity Compared

The Atlas is a larger platform than the compact Vespera series. While both are smart telescopes controlled by an app, they are designed for different observing goals.

• Aperture and Speed: The Atlas's 80mm aperture gathers significantly more light than the Vespera II's 50mm lens. In its Twin configuration, the Atlas operates at an f/3.2 equivalent, making it faster for deep-sky imaging than the Vespera II.
• Modularity: Atlas is a platform built to expand. You can start with a Single 80mm module and add a second later. Vespera is a fully integrated, non-modular system, and its accessories are not compatible with Atlas.
• Resolution and Field: Both systems use a Sony IMX585 sensor with 8.3 MP resolution. The Atlas's longer 360mm focal length gives a finer image scale (1.66 arcsec/pixel, against 2.39 on the Vespera II's 250mm lens) and a narrower field.
• Pointing System: The Sky Guard all-sky camera is unique to the Atlas, offering an intuitive tap-to-point interface that is not available on Vespera models.