Vaonis

11/08/2026

What makes total solar eclipse exceptional?
As the Moon slowly covers the Sun, the world begins to change.

The light turns unfamiliar. The temperature drops. Shadows sharpen, birds grow quiet, and for a moment nature seems unsure of what time it is.

Then comes totality.

Day becomes night, the Sun’s corona appears around a perfect black disk, and the horizon glows in every direction.

For a few minutes, the mechanics of the solar system become visible — and the world falls silent beneath them.

We hope each of you gets to experience this at least once in your lifetime.

08/08/2026

Hestia owners, are you eclipse-ready? Here's your Eclipse Toolkit to help you get everything set up before the big day.

🔭 1. Have your solar filter ready.

📲 2. Update the Gravity app to unlock Eclipse Mode, then practice solar observation before August 12.

☀️3. Visit 2026EclipseGuide.com to:
• Check your local eclipse timings
• Use our simulator to make sure your observing location has a clear view of the horizon
The site, brought to you by Vaonis, is packed with tips, resources, and everything you need to prepare.

📄 4. Print your Hestia Eclipse Action Plan (PDF link in comments).

Now all you need is clear skies!

07/08/2026

Other "phenomena" you might capture during the August total solar eclipse 😅

📷
Clouds: Joshua Tonak (Total Eclipse - April 2024)
Bird: Jean-Sébastien R. (Partial eclipse - March 2025)
Plane: Michael Lewis (Total Eclipse - April 2024)
Tree branches: Rebecca Newhouse (Total Eclipse - April 2024)

06/08/2026

5 Phenomena to Capture During This August's Total Solar Eclipse

Whether you're photographing the eclipse with Hestia or Vespera, you'll need to adjust settings such as gain and exposure throughout totality to capture these incredible phenomena.

Here's your eclipse checklist:

- Sunspots*
- Diamond Ring
- Baily's Beads
- Solar Corona
- Solar Prominences

*Sunspots can be observed outside totality with a solar filter. The other four phenomena are only visible during totality, so make every second count.

Which one are you most excited to capture?

05/08/2026

The total solar eclipse is only days away. Are you ready?

A few minutes of preparation now will ensure you don't miss a single moment on eclipse day. Here's your Eclipse Toolkit:

🔭 1. Have your solar filter ready.

📲 2. Update the Singularity app to unlock Eclipse Mode, then practice solar observation before August 12.

☀️3. Visit 2026EclipseGuide.com to:
• Check your local eclipse timings
• Use our simulator to make sure your observing location has a clear view of the horizon
The site, brought to you by Vaonis, is packed with tips, resources, and everything you need to prepare.

📄 4. Print your Vespera Eclipse Action Plan (PDF link in comments).

What's left on your eclipse checklist? Let us know in comments!

04/08/2026

🌞🌑 Can't make it to the path of totality?

A partial solar eclipse is still a spectacular event to observe safely with certified eclipse glasses or to photograph with Vespera or Hestia.

📸 This beautiful composite image was created by Richard Born during the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse from DeKalb, Illinois, using Vespera. It combines 12 images captured every 15 minutes as the Moon covered up to 92.5% of the Sun. The sequence also reveals several prominent sunspots.

No matter where you are, don't miss the chance to experience the eclipse!

03/08/2026

🇬🇧 Planning to observe the August 12, 2026 Total Solar Eclipse with Hestia? 🌞🌑

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know to prepare, observe safely, and capture every phase of the eclipse with Hestia and your smartphone.

📖 Read the guide: https://bit.ly/4wBZuv8

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🇫🇷 Vous prévoyez d'observer l'éclipse totale de Soleil du 12 août 2026 avec Hestia ? 🌞🌑

Notre guide pas à pas vous explique tout ce qu'il faut savoir pour bien vous préparer, observer l'éclipse en toute sécurité et immortaliser chaque phase avec Hestia et votre smartphone.

📖 Découvrez le guide : https://bit.ly/4w7SSDY

Observe the Sun safely with Hestia and capture stunning eclipse images. Follow this guide to enjoy every moment of the eclipse with full protection.

01/08/2026

🌌 The August Sky Guide is here!

As summer slowly draws to a close, August brings longer nights and more time under the stars. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy the last views of the iconic deep-sky objects surrounding the Milky Way’s core before they gradually give way to the treasures of the autumn sky.

This month also brings one of the year’s most anticipated celestial events: a solar eclipse.

🔭 Vespera & smart telescope owners: discover our curated August targets, carefully selected to create the perfect Plan My Night session. They'll keep you exploring the night sky from dusk to dawn.

👉 Read the full August Sky Guide on the Vaonis blog (link in comments)

31/07/2026

✨ Meet Lyndie Chiou, from the United-States.

Science journalist by day, galaxy hunter by night. When she's not writing about astronomy, Lyndie is exploring the universe with her Vespera Pro.

Vaonis: Can you tell us about your passion for the night sky? How did it all begin?

Lyndie: "The first toy I ever bought with my pocket money was a small $20 telescope when I was about 10 years old. I set it up in my bedroom to look at the Moon at night when I was supposed to be asleep.

It was only later that I learned our sky is filled with enormous nebulae too faint for the human eye and far beyond the reach of my $20 telescope. A few years ago, I wrote a news story with a similar idea and interviewed an astrophysicist about an ultra-faint galaxy composed of 99.99% dark matter. At the end, he said that strange and immense galaxies “very big, very close by” still await discovery.

Vaonis: What drew you to smart telescopes, and why did you choose the Vespera Pro?

Lyndie: "When I noticed the growing market of smart telescopes, I thought, “What a cool idea!” Our house is located between a street light and a tall row of trees, so the roof is the only realistic place to observe the sky. After comparing options, the Vespera Pro offered the best balance between portability, optical quality, and resolution."

Vaonis: Can you share more about your experience with Vespera Pro? What do you enjoy most?

Lyndie: "Anytime the night is clear, I’m on the roof setting up the telescope. Within minutes, photons that have traveled millions—even billions—of light-years start stacking in the detector, and the night comes alive. While we can’t travel to these objects, their light crosses the cosmos to reach us, and I love learning about the forces that created them."

Whether she's writing about the latest discoveries or capturing distant galaxies herself, Lyndie reminds us that curiosity is at the heart of every great adventure. Follow Lyndie on Instagram:

📷 M82 Bode's Galaxy
Arp 273
NGC 660
M77 Squid Galaxy + NGC 1055
M64 Black Eye Galaxy

29/07/2026

🌒 Just 2 weeks until the total solar eclipse!

These are the highlights every eclipse chaser looks forward to:
✨ Baily's Beads
💎 The Diamond Ring
👑 The Solar Corona
🔥 Solar Prominences

⚠️ These phenomena are visible only during totality. If you're observing a partial eclipse (such as from France or the UK), you won't see them.

If you're planning to capture the eclipse with your smart telescope, make sure you're ready, every second counts!