Introducing the Hestia, the world’s first smartphone telescope for capturing stunning photos of the cosmos.
This revolutionary device from Vaonis allows anyone to photograph the Sun, Moon, and stars without the need for complicated equipment or extensive knowledge of astronomy.
Vaonis, a key player in the smart telescope market alongside Unistellar, has been releasing a range of smart telescopes over the past few years.
From the high-end 61-megapixel Hyperia priced at $45,000 to the more affordable Vespera at $2,499, Vaonis has offered all-in-one systems controlled through a smartphone app.
With the Hestia, however, they are taking it a step further by utilizing the power of the smartphone itself for capturing images.
“The Hestia is the telescope you’ve always dreamt of, but never thought possible… until now. Designed to make the wonders of the Cosmos accessible to everyone,” says Vaonis.
By harnessing the capabilities of your smartphone and Vaonis’ state-of-the-art technology, the Hestia enables you to capture the breathtaking beauty of the Sun, the enchanting allure of the Moon, and the mesmerizing depths of the Universe.
Gone are the days of intricate setups and the need for extensive knowledge in astronomy.
Simply place your smartphone on the Hestia’s ocular, align it with your desired celestial object, follow the guidance of our user-friendly app, and embark on a fascinating journey of discovery.
The Hestia is designed to cater to all types of celestial targets, allowing for captivating solar photography during the day and stunning moon and “deep sky” photography at night.
Featuring a patented six-lens in three groups optical design, the Hestia collects and focuses light directly onto your smartphone’s camera through a 30mm objective and prisms.
With a generous 1.8-degree field of view, the Vaonis app lets you capture images as either JPEGs or TIFFs.
Designed with adaptability in mind, the Hestia utilizes a magnetic mount to accommodate current and future smartphone models.
As smartphone cameras continue to improve, the Hestia’s capabilities will also expand, offering even more remarkable photography opportunities.
Compact and lightweight, measuring at 6.7 by 9.5 by 2.2 inches and weighing only 1.1 pounds (500 grams), the Hestia provides up to five times better sharpness and detail resolution of lunar craters and sunspots compared to using your smartphone alone.
Additionally, it offers up to 25 times better low-light sensitivity.
Vaonis is particularly excited about the Hestia’s ability to capture the solar eclipse expected to cross North America in 2024, as it will be the final chance to witness this phenomenon until 2044.
In order to ensure that interested individuals don’t miss out on photographing the event, the company guarantees to ship all Hestia units by April 8, 2024.
The Vaonis Hestia is now available to back on Kickstarter, with early bird prices starting at just $149, a 40% discount from the expected retail price of $249.
This makes it the most affordable option Vaonis has ever offered, primarily because it relies on your smartphone to handle the heavy lifting. Essentially, it’s a specialized telescope mount that works alongside the company’s app.
The concept has gained substantial popularity, evidenced by the overwhelming response within the first hour of the campaign. With over $200,000 from more than 760 backers, the Hestia is poised to revolutionize astrophotography.
Disclaimer: Before backing any crowdfunding project, it’s important to conduct thorough research. While we strive to only share legitimate and trustworthy campaigns, there is always a chance of losing your investment.
