Vaonis Atlas Smart Telescope

Atlas Single vs. Twin: The f/4.5 and f/3.2 Imaging Choice

The Atlas platform is built on a single, powerful 3.5 kg mount, but allows you to choose your light-gathering power. The Single configuration is a complete f/4.5 imaging system with one 80mm module, perfect for capturing vibrant images of nebulae and galaxies from your first night out. The Twin configuration populates both arms of the mount, using two 80mm modules to observe the same target simultaneously.

This dual-module setup doubles the light collected in every frame, achieving an equivalent focal ratio of f/3.2 at the same 360mm focal length. This allows you to capture fainter details in a single session or achieve the same image depth in half the time—a critical advantage when observing nights are limited.

80mm Module: 8.3 MP IMX585 Sensor and 1.78° Field

Each 3 kg imaging module is a self-contained astrograph, pairing an 80mm apochromatic Petzval optic with a 1/1.2” format Sony IMX585 color sensor. The sensor's 8.3 MP resolution and 2.9 µm pixels are matched to the 360mm focal length, delivering a native 1.78° x 1.00° field of view. This frames galaxies, star clusters and smaller nebulae in a single shot.

For even larger structures like the North American Nebula (NGC 7000), the CovalENS mosaic mode automatically combines multiple panels. This expands your canvas to a massive 3.5° x 2.00°, building a final image of up to 32 MP without any manual intervention.

Sky Guard: A 185° All-Sky Camera for Pointing

Atlas replaces abstract star charts with a live view of the actual sky above you. Built into the mount is the Sky Guard system, a 12 MP camera with a 185° fisheye lens that continuously monitors the celestial sphere. The Gaia app overlays object locations onto this live feed, letting you simply tap on a star or nebula to begin imaging.

This system makes pointing intuitive and provides constant situational awareness. A dual-view mode shows the Sky Guard's wide-angle perspective alongside the deep-sky view from the 80mm imaging module, so you always know precisely where you are aimed. Sky Guard also handles autonomous initialization by detecting the horizon, Sun, and Moon.

Atlas Mount: IP64 Rated with WiFi 6 Connectivity

The Atlas mount is engineered for durability and seamless operation in the field. Its die-cast aluminum structure is IP64-rated against dust and water, and rated for imaging in temperatures ranging from a frigid -20 °C to a hot +40 °C. The innovative Sky Dock interface allows you to attach or detach an imaging module in seconds, tool-free.

Connectivity is handled by WiFi 6, robust enough to stream the live view to more than 10 simultaneous users. A sealed USB-C 3.1 port supports 60 W fast charging for the 6-hour battery, as well as data transfer. While the mount operates in alt-azimuth mode by default, it is ready for an equatorial table accessory (expected in the second half of 2027) to eliminate field rotation for advanced, long-exposure imaging.

Vaonis Atlas vs. Vespera: Aperture and Modularity

Atlas is a new platform, a step up from the compact Vespera series. Vespera's advantage is its all-in-one design and lower weight, which make it very easy to carry and set up.

• Aperture and Speed: The Atlas's 80mm aperture gathers far more light than the Vespera II's 50mm lens, at a longer 360mm focal length (250mm on Vespera II). In its Twin configuration, the Atlas operates at an f/3.2 equivalent, making it dramatically faster for deep-sky imaging.
• Modularity: Atlas is a platform built to expand. You can start with a Single 80mm module and add a second later, or swap in future modules like the planned planetary imager. Vespera is a fully integrated system, and Vespera accessories do not fit Atlas.
• Resolution: Both use an 8.3 MP Sony IMX585 sensor, so the Atlas's longer focal length gives a tighter, more detailed view of each target.
• Pointing System: Sky Guard is unique to the Atlas, offering a live, all-sky view you can tap to choose and point at targets.