The night sky has fascinated us for centuries. Today, we no longer need bulky telescopes or expert skills to explore it. With the Vaonis Hestia, astronomy becomes easier and more accessible. This compact, smartphone-based smart telescope redefines how we stargaze, observe the Sun, and photograph the Moon. In this article, we’ll explore what makes Hestia unique, how it works, and whether it’s the right choice for you.
What is the Vaonis Hestia?
The Vaonis Hestia is not a traditional telescope. It has no eyepiece, motor, or electronics. Instead, it works in tandem with your smartphone. You place your phone on top of the device, align it using the built-in guides, and use the Gravity by Vaonis app to view and capture celestial objects. Hestia acts as a powerful magnifying lens. It enhances your phone’s camera to reveal more detail in the Moon, the Sun (with a solar filter), and even some bright deep-sky objects.
Design and build
The Hestia is sleek, compact, and minimalist. It weighs just over 800 grams. Its small footprint, less than the size of a book, makes it perfect for travel. The body is built from durable materials. It looks more like a stylish tech gadget than a scientific instrument. There are no complicated knobs or settings. Everything is controlled through the app and your phone. A magnetic alignment pad ensures that your phone sits perfectly on top of the optical lens.
How it works
The Hestia uses a 30mm optical lens with a six-lens configuration. This setup directs light from the sky into your smartphone’s camera. It provides up to 25x magnification compared to your phone alone. That’s enough to see craters on the Moon or the Sun’s outline during an eclipse.
To get started:
1. Mount the Hestia on a tripod.
2. Open the Gravity app.
3. Place your phone on the magnetic pad.
4. Align the lens with your phone’s camera.
5. Follow the app’s guided instructions to focus and capture images.
The whole setup takes less than five minutes.
The Gravity app
The Gravity app is the brain behind Hestia. It handles alignment, target selection, image stacking, and photo enhancement. It also shows a sky map that helps you find objects visible from your location. The app supports night mode, live previews, and time-lapse features. It can stack multiple short exposures to reduce noise and improve image quality, just like professional astrophotography software. Best of all, it’s designed for beginners. You don’t need to know the names of stars or the phases of the Moon. The app walks you through everything step by step.
Who is Hestia for?
Hestia is designed for a broad audience:
- Beginners who want an easy entry into astronomy;
- Parents and kids looking for an educational and fun activity;
- Travelers who want a lightweight, portable telescope;
- Astrophotography enthusiasts looking for a compact companion to their DSLR setup.
If you’re just starting, the Hestia is a fantastic tool. It removes the learning curve and adds the fun. But if you’re a serious astronomer chasing faint galaxies, you’ll need something more powerful.
Specifications
Here are some of the technical specifications of Vaonis Hestia:
- Aperture: 30 mm (1.2 in)
- Magnification: x 25
- Optic Design: 6 lenses in 3 groups
- Field of View: 1.8°
- Limiting magnitude: 7-8
- Suitable for: Moon, Sun, Bright Deep Sky Object
- Supported image formats: JPEG
- Compatibility: Tripod with pan and tilt fluid head and 3/8” thread
- Weight: 850g (1.87 lbs)
- Size: 17 x 24 x 5.5 cm (6.7 x 9.5 x 2.2 in)
Packages, pricing, and availability
The Hestia comes in four main packages:
1. Essential Pack: Hestia unit + Dust cover
Price: € 199
2. Standard Pack: Hestia unit + Dust cover + Tripod
Price: € 249
3. Ultimate Pack: Hestia unit + carry case + tripod + solar filter
Price: € 349
4. Solar Pack: Hestia unit + carry case + solar filter
Price: € 299
All packs include the Gravity app and basic alignment tools. You don’t need any extra cables or power supply.
The Voanis Hestia is available for purchase through its official website.
The Vaonis Hestia isn’t a telescope in the traditional sense. It’s a new way to interact with the sky using the technology in your pocket. And it works surprisingly well. It won’t replace high-end telescopes for advanced astronomy. But that’s not its goal. Hestia makes stargazing fun, fast, and accessible. It’s perfect for beginners, educators, and smartphone astrophotographers. Whether you want to photograph the Moon, observe a solar eclipse, or inspire your child to look up more often, Hestia delivers.
Clear skies!
