The Vaonis Stellina is one of the leading automated camera telescopes. It extends the utility and scope of ground-based astronomy with advanced engineering, enabling astrophysicists to track and capture exceptional digital space images.
As a smart telescope, the Stellina uses artificial intelligence for perfect alignment with the night sky and superior detection and delineation of deep-sky objects. The Stellina also features an innovative and award-winning design that makes it portable and easy to install and use.
Quick Facts
- Original price
- $3,999
- Units Sold
- N/A
Facts about Vaonis Stellina Smart Telescope
- The Stellina smart telescope is one of three smart telescopes manufactured by the French company Vanois.
- Stellina means ‘little star’ in Italian.
- Unlike regular telescopes, the Vaonis Stellina has no eyepiece. It focuses wholly on capturing the most advanced space images you can view on your computer or smartphone.
- This smart telescope uses artificial intelligence for perfect alignment with the night sky.
- Stellina uses Sony CMOS camera sensor technology rather than the light detectors routinely used in telescopes.
- Stellina is a fully portable exploration station, and you can position it for amazing night sky views.
Vaonis Stellina Smart Telescope Specs
| Model | Vanois Stellina |
| Form Factor | Portable unit with tripod |
| Image resolution | 6.4 megapixels |
| Panorama | 546MP panorama |
| Sensor | Sony IMX178 CMOS Sensor |
| Optical design | ED doublet imaging refractor |
| Aperture | 80mm/3.15 inches |
| Magnification | Up to x160 |
| Filter | CLS filter |
| Focal length | 400mm/15.75 inches |
| Field of view | 60 x 42 arcminutes |
| Battery | 10,000mAh (external) |
| Battery life | 5 hours |
| Ports | USB-A and USB-C ports |
| Weight | 13kg/29 lbs |
| Dimensions | 35.4 in x 22.8 in x 12.2 (90 cm × 58 cm × 31 cm) |
| Motorized mount | Computerized and motorized alt-az |
| Tripod | Gitzo GT3520S-VS1 |
| File formats for image export | JPEG, TIFF, and FITS |
| Software app | Stellinapp |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi GPS |
| Number of devices connected | Up to 20 |
| Accessories | Dust cover, backpack, flycase |
| Warranty | 2-year manufacturer’s warranty |
Vaonis Stellina Smart Telescope: Where to buy
A few online retailers carry this product. Besides Amazon and the manufacturer, the telescope is also available at SlashGear.com. You can also get Stellina from specialist telescope retailers worldwide. On Amazon, the Vanois Stellina Smart Telescope retails for over $3,800. The package includes a Gitzo tripod and other accessories.
The History of Vaonis Stellina Smart Telescope: What to know
Cyril Dupuy is the founder and CEO of Vaonis, which started in Montpellier, France, in 2016. His background in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronomical Engineering at Montpellier University and industry experience in optics have served him well in developing a company that creates astronomical instruments.
Stellina takes a different approach to optics than the light detectors routinely used for telescopes. The Sony CMOS camera sensor technology that Stellina uses is a feature of next-generation astronomy technology, enabling the telescope to rival the photon detectors used by professional ground-based optical telescopes.
The Stellina and other smart telescopes in Vaonis’ range have been developed in partnership with Automated Planet Finder (APF) and Ova designs. The attractive designs of the telescopes have earned the company many industries and design awards, including The Red Dot Design Award (2018) and the CES Innovation Award for Digital Imaging (2021). The company is supported by ESA (European Spatial Agency) funding.
Vaonis Stellina Smart Telescope Versions
©iStock.com/mik38
One of three smart telescopes designed by Vaonis, Stellina is in the middle of their price range. The other smart telescopes are:
The Vespera
It’s a smaller and more portable smart telescope featuring starfield recognition technology. Vespara can connect up to 5 devices for viewing.
The Hyperia
This later model is the most advanced of Vaonis’ range. The Hyperia achieves a staggering 61-million-pixel resolution and is completely motorized. Vaonis have designed this telescope for long-term outdoor installation with a hard-wearing zicral chassis that can withstand the harshest conditions. The Hyperia costs over $40,000 and is aimed at the wealthiest amateur astronomers.
The public response
Vaonis first unveiled its Stellina smart telescope at the tech industry’s 2017 CES Convention in Eureka Park, Las Vegas where it won awards for its unique design and function. It went on pre-order in the North American market in Q4 of 2018.
After its unveiling, Vaonis made further refinements to the Stellina with a reduction in size and portability improvements. Vaonis released the latest telescope version on Kickstarter on the 1st of October 2020.
The Vaonis Stellina has been lauded for its range of future-forward features allowing amateur astronomers to enjoy exceptional night sky panoramas. Its $4000 price tag is seen as a special purchase for an authentic enthusiast who doesn’t have access to advanced instrumentation.
Users and reviews appreciate the portability of the Stellina telescope. You can take it to remote locations or set it up on a roof terrace somewhere in the city. The Stellina has many features of a computerised telescope, but the absence of an eyepiece is novel to many astronomers. Users have noted that this telescope is completely dependent on its smartphone app.
Stellina’s catalog of hundreds of heavenly bodies, including clusters, galaxies, and nebulae, provides a massive head start in finding something interesting in the night sky. However, for many users, this AI-driven automation takes all the fun out of finding something interesting to view for themselves.
Check out the on Amazon.
As of July 19, 2023, this product is currently unavailable on Amazon. Please check back later.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©AstroStar/Shutterstock.com.
Last update on 2023-09-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
