Vaonis Vespera III Smart Telescope

A Fully Automated 50mm Smart Telescope for All-Night Imaging

The Vespera III is a complete, fully automated imaging platform designed for anyone to capture the deep sky. It replaces the traditional eyepiece and complex setup of a telescope, mount, and camera with a single, integrated instrument controlled wirelessly from your smartphone or tablet. From automatic initialization and star field detection to autofocus and live image stacking, the entire process is managed by its onboard computer.

Weighing only 5 kg and powered by an internal battery with an 11-hour life, it is engineered for both backyard sessions and dark-sky excursions. It is intended for observers who value simplicity and efficiency, allowing you to select a target from the Singularity app and let the telescope handle the rest, delivering processed images of nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters directly to your device.

Vaonis Vespera III vs. Vespera Pro II: Field of View vs. Resolution

The Vespera III and Vespera Pro II share the same 50mm f/4.9 optical system but are built around different sensors, creating a distinct trade-off between field of view and image resolution. The choice depends on your primary imaging goals.

• Sensor and Field: The Vespera III uses the 8.3 MP Sony IMX585 sensor, which has a larger 1/1.2" format and 2.9 µm pixels. This results in a wider native field of view of 2.5° x 1.4°. The Vespera Pro II employs a 12.5 MP Sony IMX676 sensor with a 1/1.6" format and smaller 2.0 µm pixels, yielding a narrower 1.6° x 1.6° field.
• Resolution and Detail: The Pro II's smaller pixels give it a finer detail resolution of 1.7 arcsec/pixel, compared to the Vespera III's 2.44 arcsec/pixel. This allows the Pro II to resolve smaller details in celestial objects. Its CovalENS mosaic mode also reaches a higher maximum definition of 50 MP versus the Vespera III's 24 MP.
• Storage and Accessories: The Vespera Pro II includes 225 GB of storage and a carbon fiber tripod. The Vespera III comes with 115 GB of storage and an adjustable aluminum tripod.

In short, the Vespera III gives the wider field, suited to large nebulae and star fields, while the Vespera Pro II gives finer detail within a smaller field.

50mm f/4.9 Apochromatic Quadruplet with S-FPL52 Glass

The Vespera III's optical system is an apochromatic quadruplet design, using four lens elements for color correction, with S-FPL52 lanthanum glass to control chromatic aberration.

At a focal length of 245 mm and an aperture of 50 mm, the system operates at a fast f/4.9 focal ratio. This optical speed allows the telescope to gather light quickly, which is critical for its live-stacking technology. A refined field corrector is integrated into the design to keep stars sharp across the 11.2 x 6.3 mm sensor.

8.3 MP Sony IMX585 Sensor with 2.44 arcsec/pixel Resolution

At the heart of the Vespera III is the Sony IMX585, a 1/1.2" format color sensor with a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels (8.3 MP). The sensor's larger format is key to the Vespera III's expansive native field of view of 2.5° x 1.4°.

The 2.9 µm pixels, combined with the 245mm focal length, result in a detail resolution of 2.44 arcseconds per pixel. This image scale is well-suited for wide-field astrophotography, providing a balance between capturing large swaths of the sky and retaining detail in objects such as the Orion Nebula (M42).

CovalENS Mosaic Mode: Building 24 MP Images of the Deep Sky

For targets that extend beyond the telescope's native field of view, the Vespera III uses CovalENS, Vaonis's proprietary automated mosaic technology. When you select a large object, the telescope automatically plans and executes a series of overlapping images, stitching them together in real time to create a single, seamless panorama.

This mode expands the maximum field of view to 4.33° x 2.43° and increases the final image definition to 24 MP. It lets you frame large objects that do not fit the native field, such as the North America Nebula (NGC 7000) or the Andromeda Galaxy (M31).

Fully Automated Operation: From Initialization to Live Stacking

The Vespera III is designed for complete autonomy. Once you level the tripod and press the power button, the instrument takes over. The setup and imaging process is a sequence of automated steps managed by the onboard computer and controlled through the Singularity app.

• Initialization: The telescope unfolds, locates itself and runs star field detection to set up automatic pointing.
• Autofocus: Focusing is automatic, with no manual adjustment.
• GoTo and Tracking: After you select a target in the app, the alt-azimuth mount automatically slews to the object and begins tracking its movement across the sky.
• Live Stacking: The telescope captures a continuous series of short exposures, aligning and stacking them in real time. This process gradually builds up the signal from your target, reducing noise and revealing faint details live on your screen.

Singularity App: Wireless Control, Planning, and Processing

The Singularity app for iOS and Android is your complete command center for the Vespera III. Connecting to the telescope's self-generated Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands supported), the app gives you full control over your observing session without any physical contact with the telescope.

The app's features are designed to simplify every aspect of astrophotography. You can browse a catalog of celestial objects, get recommendations for what's visible, and start an observation with a single tap. Advanced features like Plan My Night let you create an automated imaging sequence for the entire night. For multi-session projects, the Multi-Night Capture feature saves your progress, allowing you to resume imaging the same target on a different night. Vaonis also includes access to SkyColor Studio and LumENS with the telescope.

115 GB Storage with FITS, TIFF, and JPEG Formats

The Vespera III is equipped with 115 GB of internal storage, providing ample space for multiple nights of imaging without needing to offload data. The telescope saves images in several formats, catering to both immediate sharing and advanced post-processing.

For quick sharing on social media or with friends, you can export processed 8-bit JPEG files directly from the Singularity app. For those who prefer to do their own processing, the Vespera III saves both the final stacked 16-bit TIFF file and the individual raw 16-bit FITS frames. This gives you complete control over the data, allowing you to use professional astrophotography software for calibration, stacking, and editing. The telescope also offers 15 multi-night slots for projects spread over several nights.

11-Hour Battery with USB-C Power Delivery

Designed for full-night autonomy, the Vespera III's integrated 10,000 mAh (72 Wh) battery provides approximately 11 hours of continuous operation on a single charge. This allows you to image from dusk until dawn without worrying about external power supplies or cable management in the dark.

When the battery does need charging, it uses a modern USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port. This allows you to recharge the telescope from a compatible AC adapter or, for extended sessions in the field, run it directly from a portable USB-C PD power bank. Please note that a charging adapter and cable are not included.

Active Dew Prevention with the Included Hygrometer Sensor

Dew forming on the front lens can end an imaging session prematurely. The Vespera III actively combats this with an integrated anti-fog system. The system is controlled by an external hygrometer sensor, which is included in the box.

This sensor measures the ambient temperature and humidity, and the telescope uses those readings to switch the anti-fog system on automatically, which is optimized to save battery. Use it between 0°C and 40°C.

Optional Filters: Enhancing Views of Nebulae, Galaxies, and the Sun

The Vespera III's capabilities can be expanded with a range of optional, intelligent filters that fit at the front end of the optical arm, behind its cover. The telescope detects the installed filter and shows its name in the Singularity app.

• CLS (City Light Suppression) Filter: This light pollution filter is designed to improve contrast when observing from urban or suburban skies by blocking common wavelengths associated with artificial lighting.
• Dual Band Filter: For emission nebulae, this filter isolates the critical Hydrogen-alpha (H-alpha) and Oxygen-III (O-III) wavelengths. This increases contrast on emission nebulae.
• Solar Filter: This filter enables safe daytime observation of the Sun, allowing you to capture sunspots and solar surface details. The Singularity app has a dedicated solar mode that works with this filter. Never point the Vespera III at the Sun without a proper Vaonis solar filter correctly installed.

Portable at 5 kg: The Included Tripod and Field-Ready Design

With a weight of just 5 kg and compact dimensions of 48 x 20 x 9 cm, the Vespera III is designed for portability. It's easy to transport from your home to a dark-sky site, fitting comfortably in a hiking backpack or carry-on luggage.

The telescope includes a sturdy, adjustable aluminum tripod with a built-in bubble level, ensuring you can achieve a stable and level setup on uneven ground. The telescope attaches to the tripod by a standard 3/8" thread, and the telescope is ready to photograph a few minutes after you connect to it.

Getting Started: Your First Night with the Vespera III

Using the Vespera III for the first time is a straightforward process guided by the Singularity app. Before you begin, ensure the telescope is fully charged.

1. Setup the Tripod: Find a location with stable ground and a clear view of the sky. Extend the legs of the included aluminum tripod and use the bubble level to ensure it is perfectly horizontal. Securely screw the Vespera III onto the tripod's 3/8" thread.
2. Power On: Press and hold the side button for about three seconds: it flashes white, then turns steady; release it. It flashes blue while starting up and turns steady blue once the Vespera III's Wi-Fi network is available.
3. Connect with Singularity: On your smartphone or tablet, open your Wi-Fi settings and connect to the network named "VESPERA3-XXXXX". Launch the Singularity app and follow the on-screen tutorial for initialization.
4. Observe: Once initialized, you can browse the object catalog, select a target, and begin your observation. The telescope will automatically point, focus, and begin live stacking images.
5. Shutdown: When you're finished, you can shut the telescope down either through the app or by pressing and holding the side button for three seconds until the light goes out. Store the instrument in a clean, dry place.