Tag Archives: telescope

The Tiny DWARF 3 Smart Telescope Can Track Stars, Capture The Milky Way with Gigapixel Resolution

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For centuries, telescopes have been the gateway to the cosmos, allowing us to peer into the vast expanse of space and unravel its secrets. However, traditional telescopes often come with drawbacks – their bulky size and complex setups can be intimidating for beginners and hinder portability for outdoor adventures. Moreover, aside from their complicated nature, telescopes were just downright unaffordable to the masses… but technology always endeavors to make innovation accessible to everyone. Enter the DWARF 3, a revolutionary smart telescope that bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and user-friendly design, making astronomy and nature observation more accessible than ever before.

Designer: DwarfLab Team

Click Here to Buy Now: $469 $499 ($20 off, use coupon code “YANKO” to get the additional $10 off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

The name DWARF 3 isn’t without reason, as it breaks from the norm of what we expect from a telescope. The name comes from its dwarfed design, which condenses the massive linear telescopes into something the size of a dictionary or novel – and it does so by borrowing a trick from smartphone camera designs. The DWARF 3 boasts a unique periscopic design, a leap forward from its successful predecessor, DWARF II (which raised over $870,000 on Kickstarter). Unlike traditional telescopes with a straight light path, DWARF 3 utilizes a prism to fold the light path, resulting in a remarkably compact and portable form factor. This innovative design allows the telescope to fit comfortably in a backpack, making it the perfect companion for stargazing trips, camping adventures, or even spontaneous backyard astronomy sessions. Despite its compact size, DWARF 3 packs a powerful punch when it comes to optical capabilities, quite like a smartphone’s camera does. By bending light in a different way that doesn’t need a massively long tubular structure, the DWARF 3 achieves telescope-grade zooming but in a small package.

Portable Design

DWARF 3 brings you a state of the art upgrade: in optics, sensors, and more processing power.

That isn’t all the DWARF 3 borrows from smartphones – touted as a smart telescope, it’s designed to be entirely automatic and can remotely be controlled by a user. Whether for astronomy or nature photography, DWARF 3 is ready in minutes via a smartphone app, letting you capture the world around you in a bunch of ways. The DWARF 3 features a dual-camera system, catering to both wide-field observation and detailed target magnification. The wide-angle camera lets you preview shots before the telephoto camera allows you to zoom in on subjects, but also has the unique distinction of being wide enough to capture the entire Milky Way within one frame. An Astro Mosaic mode also lets the DWARF 3 capture and stitch together incredibly detailed panoramic views of the sky so you can zoom in on stars. The EQ mode, combined with the star-tracking feature, allows the camera to automatically correct for the Earth’s rotation and follow specific cosmic objects, eliminating the need to manually reset the camera’s aim. You can even set schedules, so the DWARF 3 kicks in at the right time to begin capturing the star you’ve set your eye on.

DWARF 3 also includes a better view and even better photos!

The true star of the DWARF 3’s optical system is the telephoto lens. A 150mm lens that actually has an equivalent focal length of 737mm, this lens brings distant celestial objects into sharp focus, inviting you to explore the cosmos with unprecedented detail, from the subtle textures of nebulae to the captivating lunar phases. But DWARF 3 isn’t just for astronomy enthusiasts. Nature photographers will find this telephoto lens invaluable. With its wireless control capabilities, DWARF 3 allows you to capture stunning wildlife images from a safe distance, ensuring minimal disturbance to the animals in their natural habitat. Whether it’s a majestic hawk soaring high above or a shy deer peeking out from a thicket, DWARF 3 helps you capture those fleeting moments of nature’s beauty in exceptional detail.

DWARFLAB App leads you to stunning shots on a single click. Designed with beginners in mind, the one-click shooting feature streamlines the process, ensuring effortless photography. At the same time, for advanced users, manual adjustments are still open for your precise control over every aspect of the shot.

DWARF 3 goes beyond simply providing magnified views. To elevate the user experience, it boasts a suite of intelligent features powered by cutting-edge technology. The autofocusing functionality utilizes a built-in step motor, ensuring crisp and clear images at all magnifications. This eliminates the need for manual adjustments, allowing you to focus on enjoying the view. For deep sky objects (DSOs), DWARF 3 employs a sophisticated object tracking system that leverages the power of deep learning to automatically track your target object. Simply select your target on the intuitive DWARF App, and the telescope will keep it in focus, even as it moves across the sky. AI-powered post-processing also allows the DWARF 3 to automatically reduce or remove noise from pictures (often a problem with low-light photography) while preserving celestial details, ensuring clarity and texture even when shooting in less-than-ideal conditions.

With the built-in Sky Atlas and top pick target suggestions, you can quickly identify worthy objects for observation and effortlessly begin your night sky imaging journey without any hesitation.

The DWARFLAB App serves as the central hub for controlling your DWARF 3 telescope. This user-friendly app, compatible with both Android and iOS devices, connects seamlessly to your telescope via Wi-Fi. Through the app, you can access a range of features, from basic camera control settings, image/video settings, and even time-lapse photography options. You can browse a virtual map of the sky and tell the DWARF 3 what to point at, and just in case you’re a noob like me, the app has its own recommended tab that tells you what cosmic bodies to watch out for, from nebulae to galaxies, stars, and even the Moon or Milky Way. The intuitive interface makes DWARF 3 accessible to users of all experience levels, allowing beginners to dive headfirst into the wonders of astronomy and experienced observers to unlock new levels of exploration. The app also lets you download images from the DWARF 3 onto your device, be it a phone or a tablet. There’s support for popular formats like JPEG and PNG, but the DWARF 3 can also capture FITS and TIFF formats (essential for preserving detail in those massive panorama photos).

Milky Way

On just a hardware and software level, the DWARF 3 packs quite a lot for a $469 telescope. Although catered towards both serious stargazers and hobbyists, the DWARF 3’s specs are solid. A 150mm telephoto lens (equivalent of 737mm) and a 6.7mm wide angle lens (equivalent of 45mm) offer the DWARF 3 a massive FOV range. A Sony IMX678 STARVIS 2 sensor captures precise imagery across a variety of shooting modes including regular photo, astro, burst, and time-lapse, along with videos at 4K@30fps or 1080p@60fps. For the image processing functions, the telescope has an NPU capable of 5 TOPS of processing power (an upgrade from the 2 TOPS on the DWARF II model). A 128GB eMMC comes included with the DWARF 3 for storing photos, and a whopping 10,000mAh built-in battery lets the telescope work for long hours, capturing massive panoramas or long-duration star trails. All this fits into a device that weighs 1.3 kilograms, works automatically, and outperforms most pro-grade camera setups that are 10 times the cost.

Click Here to Buy Now: $469 $499 ($20 off, use coupon code “YANKO” to get the additional $10 off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

The post The Tiny DWARF 3 Smart Telescope Can Track Stars, Capture The Milky Way with Gigapixel Resolution first appeared on Yanko Design.

Vaonis Vespera Telescope Review: A Smarter Way to Enjoy the Night Sky

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PROS:


  • Simple, portable, and elegant design

  • Easy to use, automated operation

  • Impressive capture of night sky objects

  • Can connect to 5 smart devices simultaneously

CONS:


  • Expensive

  • Limitations on viewing planet

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

An excellent option for budding or casual astrophotographers, the Vaonis Vespera offers an effortless experience in discovering and enjoying the universe at night.

The historic successes of companies such as SpaceX have put space travel and space exploration at the center of discussions once again. Along with those, however, is a resurgence of interest in the objects that we can see at night beyond just the moon. Astrophotography has become quite the trend that even smartphone companies are using that as a selling point for their cameras, like taking photos of the moon or star trails. While those might be impressive and fun for one-off shots, they can never compete with a more dedicated piece of equipment designed specifically for watching the night sky. Those, however, tend to be bulky and difficult to use, but smart telescope maker Vaonis is arguing that it shouldn’t be the case. The Vespera observation station promises a better way to see our planet’s distant neighbors, so we give it a spin to see if it can deliver.

Designer: Vaonis

Aesthetics

Vaonis doesn’t call the Vespera a telescope, and it definitely doesn’t look like one. Instead of the stereotypical long black tube, you are greeted by a sleek, ice-white shape that looks like a flattened egg or capsule. There’s a seam that goes down and the middle and to the right side, clearly indicating that this isn’t a unibody design.

Aside from that rather odd shape and seams, there aren’t many things that will catch your attention on the surface of the observation station. There is a button on the left side, but it would have been nearly invisible if not for the LED ring surrounding it. It’s a pretty minimalist design, one that has very few distractions so that you’re left to focus not on the product but on its output via the Singularity mobile app.

Whether on its own or standing on the very short desk tripod, the Vaonis Vespera looks alien yet also alluring. Its unusual shape, at least for a “telescope,” its automated movement that we’ll see later, and its glossy white surface might even remind some of the props for sci-fi flicks and games. That’s not a bad association to make, and it’s a design that leaves quite a visual impact, one that makes you even more curious to discover what it’s capable of.

Ergonomics

The Vaonis Vespera’s simple yet attractive design is matched by its usability and portability. Using the astrophotography machine couldn’t be simpler, really. Simply set it down and push the button to turn it on. It creates a wireless network that devices can connect to and then it orients itself automatically without or with very little human intervention. You’ll see the telescope arm slowly rotate into place, pointing to the part of the night sky of interest, and that’s pretty much it. All you need to do is to tell it to start taking photos, and even how long it will run the exposure is automated depending on the object, its distance, or its clarity.

This ease of use might make you want to use the Vespera anywhere all the time, and its design definitely makes it possible as well. At only 11 lbs (5kg), it’s not that difficult to bring with you, whether in a car or even on your back with the optional backpack. Amateur telescopes are also meant to be portable to some extent, but the Vespera’s compact design makes it even more conducive to setting it up anywhere there’s a clear sky.

There is a bit of a caveat to that setup that does make the Vespera less ideal in some cases. The tripod it ships with is quite short and is best for using the observation station on top of a platform or, if preferred, close to the ground. If you prefer a higher perch, you’re going to have to order a separate one from Vaonis or, alternatively, look for a compatible alternative. There’s also a light pollution filter for urban astrophotographers and a solar filter for observing the sun, but these, too, are all separate purchases rather than something you can opt to buy all in one.

Performance

The reason why the Vaonis Vespera can’t be called a telescope, especially by pros and purists, is that there isn’t an eyepiece to speak of. Sure, the telescope arm does have a quadruplet apochromatic refractor with a 2-inch (50mm) f/4 aperture, but the light that it captures isn’t meant to go into your eyes but to a 2MP Sony STARVIX IMX462 CMOS camera sensor instead. In other words, the Vespera is a telescope and camera in one, a combination that has very important ramifications as far as the device’s usability and performance go.

As mentioned earlier, all you really need to do is to turn on the machine and you’re almost good to go. What happens behind the scenes is that it creates an ad hoc wireless network for your smartphone to connect to via the Singularity mobile app. Vespera then takes the GPS location from your mobile device and, using its internal maps of the night skies, orients and configures itself. All you really need to do is to tell it which nebula, galaxy, or star you want to take photos of and Vespera will automatically turn in that direction. It will even use the appropriate exposure time and settings depending on that night sky object so you don’t have to bother with the details. Of course, you still have complete manual control if you want to, but it is designed to be easy to use by default.

M13 (8 exp)

NGC7789 ()

Part of the magic of the Vaonis Vespera is that Singularity mobile app, which is pretty much your control center for the device and a gateway to learning more about the world above. It acts as the viewfinder for the observation station since there is no eyepiece, and you can see in real-time as it takes and stacks new images every 10 to 20 seconds until you get the best image for that particular celestial body. Depending on the visibility of that star, the process could take anywhere from half a minute to half an hour, so there might be times you would want to either manually set the timer or even cancel the process. If left on its own, however, Vespera is smart enough to track the object and adjust itself in order to compensate for the Earth’s movement.

The images that Vespera takes are quite impressive, though your results will naturally vary depending on atmospheric conditions. Admittedly, the 2MP 1920×1080 images won’t satisfy more discerning astrophotographers, but Vespera is pretty much marketed as a tool for beginners and casual users. If there’s one notable flaw that the observation station has is that its large field of view makes it less ideal for large and nearby space objects like planets or even the moon. For objects that are too big for the telescope, Singularity has a mosaic mode that joins exposures together to create a larger image than what is normally possible with its field of view. The disadvantage to this mode is that it can sometimes take hours to complete one panorama.

The Vaonis Vespera’s ease of use and portable design make it easy to use anywhere, though you’d most likely want to set it up away from bright lights and on a clear field. Fortunately, you can operate the observation station without having to plug it in, thanks to its built-in battery. It’s advertised for four hours of use, after which you’ll have to charge it again. Vaonis uses a proprietary magnetic connector for the charging cable, which can make it easier to connect but more difficult to find replacements when the cable goes bad. Either way, the 7,000 mAh battery is probably not going to be enough for a full night’s experience, so you might want to keep a large portable battery nearby.

Sustainability

Smart telescopes like the Vaonis Vespera are relatively young products, born from a desire to capture the heavens without having to become experts in the field. As with many young device manufacturers, creating a successful business is their topmost priority, and sustainability often takes a backseat to that. To its credit, Vaonis does recognize its responsibility to minimize the impact of its operations on the environment, but there’s not much information regarding concrete actions or the use of more sustainable materials.

In terms of the Vespera’s durability and repairability, there is that same level of uncertainty. The machine is IP43-rated, so it will survive a spray of water but not rain. Parts for this kind of device are also pretty uncommon, and the chassis design doesn’t lend itself to easy repairs. All in all, you will need to send the Vespera back to Vaonis for repairs, if you’re lucky to be in a country where such support is available.

Value

Even with the powerful cameras that smartphones now have, they can’t compare to having a telescope to really appreciate the beauty of outer space. At the same time, however, not everyone who’s interested in recording the stars in the sky might be willing to deal with the intricacies and hassles of operating professional equipment. They just want to take beautiful shots or learn more about the universe around them, working their way to becoming pros but also wishing for a gentler introduction to this almost mystical world.

The Vaonis Vespera offers this kind of experience, designed to entice beginners or casual photographers to forego the ceremony and burden and just start taking images of galaxies, nebulae, and more. That said, its $1,499 price tag might sound beginner-unfriendly, but you’d be hard-pressed to find anything that offers that much convenience and capability in the same price range. Admittedly, the image quality, while decent, is hardly at the top of its class and will probably dissatisfy more seasoned stargazers. Then again, they aren’t Vespera’s target audience, and Vaonis does have other products to cater to these astrophotographers.

Verdict

People have thankfully become more aware and appreciative of the world around them, whether it’s enjoying the great outdoors or being enchanted by the stars in the sky. For the longest time, watching heavenly bodies has been an activity reserved for more knowledgeable professionals and far out of reach of regular people. The trends are trending, fortunately, and the Vaonis Vespera is paving the way.

The observation station, a combination of telescope and camera, has a simple and elegant design that belies the power it hides inside. That power, however, is delivered in a manner of operation that is as easy as using a mobile app. Granted, the portable machine is on the pricey side, and the photos it takes won’t win awards. But if you’re the kind of celestial explorer who loves to learn and discover new things every night, the Vaonis Vespera will help you have an effortless and fun journey, each and every time.

The post Vaonis Vespera Telescope Review: A Smarter Way to Enjoy the Night Sky first appeared on Yanko Design.

This smartphone-powered telescope brings the joy of exploring the heavens to everyone

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Achievements and advancements in space exploration in the past decade have put the spotlight on what is commonly known as humanity’s last frontier. Just like the depth of our oceans, the skies have always given us awe, from the stars that twinkle at night to the sun that sometimes gets occluded by the moon. These heavenly bodies that paint both day and night skies have been objects of fascination for almost everyone at some point in their lives, but the skill and the equipment needed to get a closer look at them eventually kill off those dreams for most folk. Fortunately, we’re at an age when almost anyone can become budding sky watchers and stargazers with the potent combination of a modern smartphone and this innovative telescope that makes astronomy accessible to everyone, just in time for the North American total solar eclipse taking place in April 2024.

Designer: VAONIS

Click Here to Buy Now: $189 $289 ($100 off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left! Raised over $3,000,000.

Watching the sky, whether day or night, is no longer just a field for professionals, simply going by the number of “moon photography” features being advertised for recent smartphones. Of course, even the most powerful smartphone camera today can’t really go that far, especially if you plan on exploring the vast majority of space objects beyond the moon. That’s where Hestia comes in, an innovative telescope that combines sophisticated optics with the brains of your smartphone and wraps it in a portable and easy-to-use package.

Hestia – The first-ever smartphone-based telescope.

Future-proof – Thanks to a system of removable magnets, Hestia accommodates all sizes of current and future smartphones.

The Sun – Shot with iPhone 14 Pro & Hestia.

The Moon – Shot with iPhone 14 Pro and Hestia.

With the Hestia telescope, all you really need to do is to place your smartphone on the device, aligning the phone’s camera with Hestia’s ocular. Using the Gravity app by Vaonis, you can pick the object of interest that you want to see and follow the guide to point Hestia in the right direction. A patented six-lens optical design collects and focuses light directly into a smartphone’s camera, accomplishing what bulkier telescopes can do but at a significantly more compact size. The app also uses proprietary image processing algorithms to merge multiple short-exposure images into a single, high-quality shot that brings the beauty of the heavens up close.

How Hestia Works – Attach Hestia to its tripod and align your smartphone’s main camera with Hestia’s ocular with the help of Gravity by Vaonis. Pick your destination and let the app guide you to find it.

Reach your Favorite Stars – Explore the constellations, learn to recognize the sky around you, and find an object that piques your interest.

Prepare for the Most Breathtaking Celestial Event for 2024 – Next year, on April 8th, a total solar Eclipse will cross North America. Millions of people will gather to watch the breathtaking event of a lifetime.

Unlike most telescopes, including those “smart” ones of late, the Hestia isn’t made just for watching the night skies. Thanks to a solar filter, budding space scientists can start observing the sun’s behavior and how it affects both the weather in space as well as on Earth. Remove that solar filter and you can behold the striking beauty of the setting sun as it makes its final appearance above the horizon. That makes the Hestia perfect for the biggest celestial event to come our way next year, when a total solar eclipse will cross North America on April 8th, 2024.

Despite all its sophisticated capabilities, Hestia remains easy to carry around, easy to set up, and easy to use. At only 1.1 lbs (500g), it’s no sweat to stash the telescope in a bag to take with you anywhere. With an innovative removable magnet system, it can support not only current smartphones but also future ones, ensuring that Hestia will get better as smartphone cameras advance. And since it’s powered by nothing but your smartphone, the device is sure to last almost as long as the stars in the sky. There’s no better time than now to learn more about the beautiful expanse of the skies with this smartphone-powered telescope that unlocks the universe and brings the heavens closer to your eyes.

Click Here to Buy Now: $189 $289 ($100 off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left! Raised over $3,000,000.

The post This smartphone-powered telescope brings the joy of exploring the heavens to everyone first appeared on Yanko Design.

Astro Photography For Your iPhone? This Smartphone Telescope Takes Things One Step Further

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 100x camera zoom has nothing on this bad boy…

Meet Hestia – a lens that attaches to your smartphone, or rather a lens that your smartphone attaches to. The size of a relatively thick book, the Hestia is the smallest, most powerful telephoto lens in its price bracket. Its purpose? To turn your smartphone into the next James Webb Space Telescope!

Designer: VAONIS

Click here to Buy Now: $189 $289 ($100 off). Hurry, only 474/1000 left! Raised over $700,000.

The JWST comparison may be a little bit of a stretch, but the Hestia can optically boost your camera’s magnification by 25x. Armed with a 1.25-inch lens, the Hestia lets your camera shoot for the stars, and lets you quite literally shoot the stars! A perfectly capable consumer-grade telescope module, this device helps your smartphone turn into an astro photography machine. You can take close-ups of the moon, eclipses, solar activity, constellations, star clusters, and even nebulae.

Hestia – The first-ever smartphone-based telescope.

Future-proof – Thanks to a system of removable magnets, Hestia accommodates all sizes of current and future smartphones.

The Sun – Shot with iPhone 14 Pro & Hestia.

The Moon – Shot with iPhone 14 Pro and Hestia.

Designed by the folks at VAONIS, known for their years-long expertise in building high-end consumer-grade telescopes, the Hestia is their latest, most affordable telescope yet. Instead of coming with a digital viewfinder, the Hestia relies on your smartphone’s own camera, boosting its abilities to help it see beyond our atmosphere. It sits on a standard tripod and pairs along with Hestia’s own smartphone app, ‘Gravity by Vaonis’, helping alert you when there’s a cosmic wonder to see, letting you know when the viewing conditions are right, and guiding the camera so you’re pointed in the right direction.

The Hestia’s design is a perfect example of form following function. It has a bookish shape so that it’s easy to carry around in a backpack, and a flat top that you can rest your smartphone on. An expertly designed and assembled 6-lens array inside the Hestia helps boost your smartphone camera’s vision, and allows you to clearly see cosmic phenomena and get an incredibly close view of the moon with optical accuracy and none of that Samsung AI enhancement trickery. A tripod mount in the base helps you securely attach your Hestia and position it accurately towards your cosmic subject, and rubber lips on the Hestia’s upper surface helps hold your phone in place even as you tilt the telescope upwards.

The telescope works in conjunction with the ‘Gravity by Vaonis’ app. The app acts like your personal encyclopedia on everything space-related, helping you not just observe our interstellar neighbors but also learn everything there is about them. The intuitive app is perfect for people of all ages, helping decode the mysteries of the great cosmos and helping all of us discover our curious inner child. For photography, however, you can rely on either your native camera app, or astro photography apps like Sun, Moon & Eclipse or Deep Sky.

Measuring 9.5 inches long, 6.7 inches wide, and 2.2 inches thick, the Hestia is compact enough to carry around with you, weighing a mere 1.1 lbs (less than 500 grams). The launch of the Hestia comes at a perfect time, given that 2024 happens to be one of the most important years for space enthusiasts, with meteors, once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipses, and other phenomena galore. Each Hestia starts at a special $149 for early bird backers, although the $249 bundle also includes a tripod, a hard case, and a solar filter to help you view the sun without damaging your phone camera. The Gravity by Vaonis app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

Click here to Buy Now: $189 $289 ($100 off). Hurry, only 474/1000 left! Raised over $700,000.

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This $169 telescope gives your smartphone camera astrophotography superpowers on a budget

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The moon, quite like me, is selectively photogenic. It only looks good with the right gear. Use a cheap smartphone camera and the moon looks like a miserable white cluster of pixels. Bust out a $1k+ phone or an expensive DSLR with a telephoto lens and the moon looks a lot better. Now, for people who don’t have the money for a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or top-tier telephoto lenses, the Decouvir Telescope is a compelling alternative. Starting at $169 for the 60mm version and going up to $289 for the 80mm variant, the Decouvir makes stargazing and astrophotography ridiculously easy. The telescope, designed for consumer use, features an easy setup along with the ability to view objects either through your eye or your smartphone. Using multiple reflectors to help the telescope see far, the Decouvir is actually a pretty compact gizmo and can be used by children too. At that $169 to $289 price range, it makes for a compelling gift for youngsters and adults alike… and easily gives your existing smartphone the power to take the most brilliant moon photos on a budget.

Designer: Cerron Innovation

Click Here to Buy Now: $169 (Free Shipping) Hurry! Only 12 days to go!

Built on the Maksutov-Cassegrain optic architecture, the Decouvir telescopes use a system of one-refraction-two-reflections to help you see as close as 85x magnification with minimal loss of clarity or detail. The telescope comes in three variants – the MC60, MC70, and MC80 which have a 60mm, 70mm, and 80mm main lens respectively. The telescopes achieve up to 85x zoom, far beyond anything your smartphone can capture, allowing you to see constellations, the moon, and even small objects on Earth from afar. Setting the telescope up is easy, thanks to a built-in tripod with a spirit level, a gimbal to help point your telescope accurately, and a single focus knob that lets you control what the lens system focuses on.

Built for enthusiasts on a budget, the telescope crams in a bunch of features that make it absolutely worth its price. You’ve got an attached tripod that can be adjusted up to 4 feet in height, made from aluminum alloy for a high strength-to-weight ratio. The tripod features adjustable telescopic legs, along with a spirit level to adjust the camera’s tilt, making sure it’s perfectly vertical. Upon the tripod sits the telescope that’s adjustable using a gimbal and vertical/horizontal control knobs. Once you find the right angle, a lock switch on the gimbal lets you fix your telescope in place.

Depending on the variant you buy, the telescope has either a 60mm, 70mm, or 80mm lens, offering the ability to see further and capture more light. The Mak-Cass optic system offers detailed, vivid, crisp imagery, and multi-layer coated lens and larger eyepiece let you see much more clearly into the distance. The telescope even comes with a focus knob and a visual scale that lets you carefully calibrate your focus.

The entirely analog telescope can either be used regularly with your eyes, or in conjunction with your smartphone’s camera thanks to an adjustable clamp. Clamp your smartphone in place and adjust it so its camera lines up with the Decouvir’s eyepiece, and suddenly you’ve got an astrophotography setup that’s much more powerful than even the most insane spec on a smartphone camera. At a starting price of $169, it’s also the best external telephoto lens setup your smartphone can ask for.

The Decouvir telescopes aren’t just for astrophotography. They can be even used for wildlife watching as well as capturing objects from far away. The optics system gives you crystal clear photos, while also creating a very shallow depth of field (or DoF) for some remarkable background blur.

The Decouvir Telescope is shipping as of May 2023. Each variant (MC60, MC70, MC80) will get you the telescope along with a tripod, a control gimbal, a phone holder, 10mm and 20mm eyepieces, and a 5×22 inverted finderscope to assist you in locating objects and helping you focus your telescope correctly. The Decouvir Telescope ships only to the United States, and while the MC60 and MC70 are a theoretically unlimited run, the MC80 is only limited to 100 units, so grab yours while you still can!

Click Here to Buy Now: $169 (Free Shipping) Hurry! Only 12 days to go!

The post This $169 telescope gives your smartphone camera astrophotography superpowers on a budget first appeared on Yanko Design.

James Webb Telescope Model Suggested on LEGO Ideas Website

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Built by astronomer and LEGO maniac tonysmyuncle (that’s cool, Brent’s my uncle), this LEGO model of the James Webb Space Telescope is constructed as a replica of the one actually sent into space by NASA. It’s currently looking for support on the LEGO Ideas website to be considered for production by LEGO; it’s appropriately scaled to the size of minifigs, who I assume will use it to search for UFOs.

The model can be folded up into its “launch” configuration as if it were in its rocket for delivery into space or unfolded into its full telescopic glory. Its curved primary mirror is made up of 18 movable hexagonal segments, as well as its hinged secondary mirror. In addition, all the JWST’s major subsystems are incorporated, including the science instruments and the propulsion, power, and communications subsystems. It’s basically the real thing! Just smaller. And plastic. And nonfunctional.

Be sure to pledge your support on the LEGO Ideas website if you want to see the set become a reality, which I do. As a matter of fact, I just pledged my support from all sixteen of my email addresses, so I’ve clearly done my part—fun fact: I was also single-handedly responsible for getting the Mexican Pizza brought back to Taco Bell. Or at least that’s what I tell myself.

[via TechEBlog]

DWARF II smart telescope brings big photography features in a small package

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Mobile photography has become quite the trend, but as powerful as smartphone cameras could be, they still fall short of certain capabilities necessary for more professional work. On the flip side, most professional cameras go in the opposite direction and put everything, including the kitchen sink, resulting in a hefty and bulky body that hinders more than helps. With today’s technologies and manufacturing processes, however, it is certainly possible to shrink camera hardware down to a more manageable size without compromising on the experience and output. All it needs is some creativity and ingenuity, which is what the DWARF II smart telescope brings to the table, whether you’re taking photos of the stars, lions, or anything you need to get up close and personal.

Designer: TinyScope CAM

Click Here to Buy Now: $357 $459 (21% off). Hurry, deal ends in less than 72 hours! Raised over $1,800,000.

At first glance, the DWARF II almost looks like an old-fashioned camcorder, though its lenses are actually on the long side of its body. That visual association with one of the most portable video recorders probably wasn’t by accident. In size and weight, the DWARF II is definitely one of if not the most compact pro gear you’ll lay your eyes on, especially when you consider all the features it’s actually packing inside.

The DWARF II is a telescope and camera smashed together, and its biggest pull is taking pictures of objects that are either too far away or should be kept at a safe distance. Wildlife photography definitely falls in that category, and the camera’s AI-powered object recognition and tracking make following moving critters no problem at all. The telescope has a wide-angle camera for regular pictures and a telephoto camera for close-ups that’s always aimed at the center of the wide-angle image, making it very easy to find the object you need to shoot in close-up.

Where the smart telescope shines brightest is in taking photos of stars and galaxies in the skies above. The DWARF II’s 100mm lens has an equivalent focal point of 675mm lens on a 35mm camera. That’s more than enough to not only see details on our moon but also to see some galaxies and nebulae. Of course, it’s not enough to simply just reach distances when it comes to astrophotography. Stars “move” slowly across the sky, and cameras need to be able to keep up with them. Fortunately, the DWARF II does that automatically, and it can rotate left and right up to 340 degrees and up and down on its pitch by up to 240 degrees. With a minimum rotation speed of 0.001° per second, enough to track slow-moving stars without a hitch.

Auto Star Tracking and Stacking – DWARF II can rotate around the altitude and azimuth along the movement of stars. DWARF II uses a field-rotation-correction algorithm to avoid the field rotation. Then you can use DWARF II to track deep-sky objects with long exposure time.

Gigapixel Panorama Zoom the World – DWARF II can capture multiple images through 2-axis scanning, then stitch them into ONE picture. The pixel count can even reach ONE BILLION!

AI-powered Object Recognition and Tracking – The maximum angular velocity tracked by DWARF II is 30 °/s, and the maximum linear velocity that can be tracked at a distance of 150 m is 80 m/s, which is 290 km/h. Even airplanes can be tracked.

Although the telescope is already smart by itself, it gets even smarter when paired with a smartphone. In addition to typical remote controls, the smartphone app can make short work of locating objects in the sky and making sure the DWARF II keep track of them. Even more seasoned astronomers and astrophotographers will probably appreciate the guides that will help them locate stars, planets, and galaxies more quickly.

Given all the features you’d normally find in bigger equipment, it’s almost shocking that the DWARF II manages to keep its portable size. That’s thanks to some creative design work, like using a periscope-style telescope to not only save up space but also increase its stability, even when used outdoors with strong winds. Even more surprising is that the DWARF II Smart Telescope only costs $359 for a limited time, offering budding photographers of all kinds an accessible tool they can take with them anywhere, ready to capture moments when inspiration strikes.

Click Here to Buy Now: $357 $459 (21% off). Hurry, deal ends in less than 72 hours! Raised over $1,800,000.

The post DWARF II smart telescope brings big photography features in a small package first appeared on Yanko Design.