Vaonis is expanding its smart telescope lineup with Atlas, a new premium model that adds interchangeable optics and dual-camera imaging to automated astrophotography, letting users upgrade their telescope rather than replace it.
Priced at $4,990 / £3,770 (after an introductory pre-order price of $3,990 / £3,010 until November 15), Atlas arrives a decade after Vaonis introduced Stellina, its original smart telescope, and follows the more compact Vespera range, which this year was refreshed with the Vespera 3 and Vespera Pro 2. Unlike those models, Atlas is built around a modular platform that lets users swap optical tubes and even use two at once. Preorders are now open, with shipping expected to begin in March 2027.
The first imaging module, Atlas 80, features an 80mm apochromatic quadruplet optical system with two super-ED glass elements, a 360mm focal length (f/4.5), and a Sony IMX585 8.3-megapixel sensor. It captures 3840 × 2160 pixel images with a 1.78 × 1 degree field of view, while mosaic imaging increases resolution to 24 megapixels and expands the field of view to 3.5 × 2 degrees. Images can be exported as JPEG, FITS or TIFF files. Crucially for astrophotographers, a built-in dew prevention system helps keep the optics clear during longer observing sessions.
Atlas also sees the introduction of three new technologies — SkyDock, SkyTwin and SkyGuard — designed to make the modular system work. SkyDock lets users swap imaging modules in seconds without tools, letting them change optical configurations by target, while SkyTwin lets two modules image the same object simultaneously — a somewhat radical step for a smart telescope. According to Vaonis, using two identical Atlas 80 modules doubles light collection, effectively delivering an f/3.2 system for faster deep-sky imaging. The company also plans to support combinations of different optics and filters. The twin-module Atlas costs $6,990 / £5,279 (introductory price: $5,490 / £4,146).
A third feature, SkyGuard, uses a built-in 12-megapixel Sony IMX676 all-sky camera with a 185-degree field of view to continuously monitor sky conditions. It provides an augmented-reality view of the visible sky to help users identify suitable targets and can also generate night-sky time-lapses.
Controlled through a new app from Vaonis called Gaia (which will work on an iPhone Duo), Atlas automatically locates and images celestial objects, much like existing smart telescopes. However, it also offers remote operation, six hours of battery life and compatibility with an equatorial wedge, which will become available later. The single-module configuration weighs 6.5kg (excluding its tripod) and measures 41cm tall when closed. The mount also has IP64 dust and water resistance, along with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC connectivity.
Vaonis will initially sell Atlas only in single- and twin-module bundles, with individual components unavailable separately. The Atlas mount comes with a 10-year warranty, while Atlas 80 imaging modules are covered for five years. Given its modular design, expect more imaging modules to become available in the future, such as one designed for planetary observation, solar and deep-sky filters, a backpack and that equatorial wedge. Whether its modular approach will appeal to astrophotographers accustomed to conventional interchangeable telescope systems remains to be seen. However, Atlas certainly represents a significant departure from the fixed-optics designs that have dominated the smart telescope market so far.
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