Vaonis Vespera Pro II Smart Telescope

Vaonis Vespera Pro II vs. Vespera III: Key Differences

The Vespera Pro II is designed for high-resolution imaging, while its sibling, the Vespera III, is optimized for speed and a wider initial field of view. The choice between them depends on your primary imaging goals.

• Resolution vs. Speed: The Pro II's 12.5 MP sensor and 2.0 µm pixels provide higher native resolution (1.7 arcsec/pixel) for capturing finer detail. The Vespera III uses an 8.3 MP sensor with larger 2.9 µm pixels, delivering faster results that are well-suited for live viewing.
• Field of View: The Vespera III has a larger native field of view (2.5° x 1.4° on its product page) compared to the Pro II's 1.6° x 1.6° square field. However, the Pro II's CovalENS mosaic mode creates larger final images, reaching 50 MP, compared to the Vespera III's 24 MP maximum.
• Storage: The Pro II includes 225 GB of internal storage, while the Vespera III has 115 GB.
• Included Accessories: The Vespera Pro II comes with a carbon fiber tripod and a hard flycase. The Vespera III comes with an aluminum tripod and no case.

50mm f/4.9 Apochromatic Quadruplet: S-FPL52 Lanthanum Glass

The Vespera Pro II's optical system is a 50mm apochromatic quadruplet with a 245mm focal length, resulting in a fast f/4.9 focal ratio. This design uses four lens elements, including S-FPL52 lanthanum glass, to correct for chromatic aberration.

The system also has a refined field corrector and an optical baffle, a Vespera Pro 2 feature. The field corrector keeps stars sharp across the field, and a baffle limits stray light inside the optics.

12.5 MP Sony IMX676 Sensor: 1.7 arcsec/pixel Detail Resolution

At the heart of the Vespera Pro II is the Sony IMX676 color sensor, which delivers a native resolution of 3536 x 3536 pixels. This 12.5 MP sensor has a 1:1 square format, so the field is as tall as it is wide, which suits round targets such as the globular cluster M13.

The sensor's small 2.0 µm pixels are key to its performance. When paired with the 245mm focal length, they produce a fine image scale of 1.7 arcseconds per pixel. This allows the Vespera Pro II to resolve intricate details in galaxies, planetary nebulae, and dense star clusters.

CovalENS Mosaic Mode: A 50 MP, 3.2° x 3.2° View of the Universe

For targets that exceed the telescope's native 1.6° x 1.6° field of view, the CovalENS mosaic mode automates the creation of large-scale panoramas. When you select a large object in the Singularity app, the Vespera Pro II automatically calculates the required number of panels, captures each one, and stitches them together into a single, seamless image.

This process expands the final image definition to 50 MP and the field of view to 3.2° x 3.2°. It lets you frame large objects that do not fit the native field, such as the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) or the North America Nebula (NGC 7000).

Fully Automated Astrophotography: From Pointing to Live Stacking

The Vespera Pro II transforms astrophotography into a streamlined, accessible experience. Once you place the telescope on its tripod and turn it on, the system takes over. It uses star field detection to determine its precise orientation, automatically points to your selected target, and focuses automatically. There is no need for manual polar alignment, star alignment, or focusing.

As the telescope tracks the object, it captures a series of short exposures and uses a technique called live stacking to combine them in real time. You can watch on your tablet or smartphone as the image gradually builds, with noise diminishing and faint details emerging from the background. This entire process, from initialization to the final stacked image, is managed by the onboard computer, letting you focus on observing rather than on technical procedures.

The Singularity App: Plan My Night and Multi-Night Capture

The Vaonis Singularity app (for iOS and Android) is your command center for the Vespera Pro II. It connects to the telescope's self-generated Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and provides a user-friendly interface for exploring the cosmos. You can browse a catalog of objects, get recommendations for what's visible from your location, and launch an observation with a single tap.

For more advanced sessions, the app includes powerful planning tools:

• Plan My Night: This feature lets you build an observation schedule for the entire night. Simply queue up your desired targets, and the Vespera Pro II will automatically move from one to the next, capturing data while you sleep.
• Multi-Night Capture: For extremely faint objects requiring many hours of exposure, this feature saves your progress and allows you to resume imaging the same target on subsequent nights. Progress is saved from one night to the next.
• Processing: Vespera Pro II features include BalENS real-time processing and Universal Master Dark calibration, with access to SkyColor Studio and LumENS.

225 GB Storage: 16-bit FITS and TIFF for Professional Processing

The Vespera Pro II is designed for your own image processing as well as quick sharing. It gives you the option to save your data in multiple formats to its generous 225 GB of internal storage. Data can be transferred to a computer via the USB-C port.

You can choose the format that best suits your workflow:

• JPEG (8-bit): A compressed format perfect for quick viewing on your mobile device and instant sharing on social media.
• TIFF (16-bit): The pre-stacked image as a 16-bit file, with more tonal depth than an 8-bit JPEG for post-processing.
• FITS (16-bit): The raw data from each individual sub-exposure. This is the standard format astrophotographers use for their own calibration, stacking and processing, offering complete control over the final image.

11-Hour Battery Life: All-Night Power with USB-C Charging

The Vespera Pro II is equipped with a built-in 10,000 mAh (72 Wh) battery that provides approximately 11 hours of continuous operation on a full charge. This is enough to power the telescope from dusk until dawn, useful for long sessions at remote dark-sky sites without mains power.

When the battery does need recharging, it uses a standard USB-C Power Delivery port. This allows you to charge it with a compatible AC adapter or, for extended field use, connect it to a portable USB-C power bank (adapter and power bank not included).

Integrated Dew Control and Operating Conditions

Dew formation on the front lens can ruin an imaging session, especially during long nights when temperatures drop. The Vespera Pro II features an integrated anti-fog system to combat this. The included hygrometer 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.

Expanding Capabilities: Optional Solar, CLS, and Dual Band Filters

The Vespera Pro II's capabilities can be expanded with a range of optional, purpose-built filters that are automatically detected by the Singularity app. To install a filter, you simply open the telescope's arm via the app and swap the standard lens cover for the filter.

• Solar Filter: For safe daytime observation, this filter allows you to image sunspots. The app includes a dedicated solar pointing mode and safety warnings to ensure correct usage. Never point the telescope at the Sun without a proper solar filter installed.
• CLS (City Light Suppression) Filter: This light pollution filter is designed to block the wavelengths associated with urban skyglow, resulting in darker backgrounds and improved contrast when imaging from suburban or city locations.
• Dual Band Filter: This advanced nebula filter isolates the Hydrogen-alpha and Oxygen-III emission lines. It increases the contrast of emission nebulae such as the Orion Nebula (M42).

5 kg Total Weight: Carbon Tripod and Flycase for Portability

Designed for portability, the Vespera Pro II telescope weighs just 5 kg and has compact dimensions of 48 x 20 x 9 cm. This makes it easy to transport to dark-sky locations. The package includes a custom-fitted hard carrying case (flycase) that protects the instrument during transport and storage.

Also included is a high-quality carbon fiber tripod, which weighs only 0.9 kg yet has a safety payload of 14 kg. It features a built-in bubble level and adjustable legs that extend from a minimum height of 10.5 cm to a maximum of 91 cm, allowing you to set up on uneven ground. The tripod comes with its own padded carrying bag, completing a comprehensive, field-ready kit.

Your First Night with the Vespera Pro II: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting started with the Vespera Pro II is straightforward. Before your first use, it's recommended to fully charge the battery indoors. When you're ready to observe, follow these steps:

1. Set Up the Tripod: Find a location with firm, flat ground. Attach the Vespera Pro II to the 3/8" tripod screw and use the built-in bubble level to ensure the base is perfectly level.
2. Power On: Press and hold the tactile button on the side for about 3 seconds: it flashes white, then turns steady; release it. It flashes blue while starting up and turns steady blue once its Wi-Fi network is available.
3. Connect with the App: On your smartphone or tablet, download the "Singularity" app. Connect to the Wi-Fi network named "VESPERAPRO2-XXXXX".
4. Initialize: Open the Singularity app and follow the on-screen tutorial. The telescope arm will deploy, and the instrument will automatically perform its star field alignment to determine its location and orientation.
5. Observe: Once initialization is complete, you can browse the object catalog and select your first target. The Vespera Pro II will automatically slew to the object, focus, and begin live stacking. When your session is over, you can shut down the instrument via the app or by holding the power button again for 3 seconds.