Vaonis Vespera 3: how long to image deep-sky targets

The 2026 Vespera: same 50 mm quadruplet class as the II on an 8 MP IMX585, with a 24 MP mosaic mode and 11 hours of battery. Per pixel it behaves like a Seestar S50 Pro without the built-in dual-band filter.

Spec	Value
Aperture	50 mm
Focal length	245 mm (f/4.9)
Sensor	Sony IMX585, 3840 × 2160, 2.9 µm pixels
Pixel scale	2.44″ per pixel
Field of view	2.60° × 1.46° (156′ × 88′)
Sub exposures	10 s, 20 s, 30 s (default 10 s)
Filters	Optional clip-on Vaonis filters: dual-band, light-pollution (CLS) and solar. The new optical baffle is not a substitute for a CLS filter. What the names mean.
In the calculator	“No filter” is the No filter position; “dual-band” is the clip-on dual-band (Dual Band filter).
Read noise used	1 e⁻

Where to buy the Vespera 3Vaonis store Direct Amazon UK Amazon USThe Vaonis store link is a plain link; the others are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Weighing it against the others? The buying guide puts every scope on one table.

Popular targets

Total integration for a solid image, 10 s subs, recommended filter.
Target	Bortle 4	Bortle 6	Bortle 8
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	40 min241 subs	1 h 24 min502 subs	3 h 54 min1,404 subs
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	9 min53 subs	16 min98 subs	42 min254 subs
PleiadesReflection nebula	1 h 12 min433 subs	2 h 35 min928 subs	7 h 19 min2,637 subs
Whirlpool GalaxyGalaxy	28 min168 subs	56 min336 subs	2 h 33 min916 subs
Bode's GalaxyGalaxy	30 min179 subs	1 h 01 min366 subs	2 h 49 min1,012 subs
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	2 h 01 min726 subs	4 h 24 min1,586 subs	13 h4,557 subs
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	5 min30 subs	7 min43 subs	17 min103 subs
Dumbbell NebulaPlanetary nebula	14 min85 subs	26 min155 subs	1 h 06 min399 subs
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	5 min30 subs	7 min45 subs	17 min101 subs
Lagoon NebulaEmission nebula	14 min84 subs	27 min162 subs	1 h 12 min433 subs
Eagle NebulaEmission nebula	43 min261 subs	1 h 31 min545 subs	4 h 15 min1,529 subs
Omega NebulaEmission nebula	16 min98 subs	31 min187 subs	1 h 22 min494 subs
Trifid NebulaEmission nebula	31 min187 subs	1 h 04 min384 subs	2 h 57 min1,064 subs
Triangulum GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 12 min433 subs	2 h 35 min928 subs	7 h 19 min2,637 subs
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 01 min365 subs	2 h 09 min777 subs	6 h 06 min2,199 subs
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 06 min398 subs	2 h 21 min849 subs	6 h 41 min2,408 subs
Eastern Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	56 min336 subs	1 h 58 min711 subs	5 h 35 min2,008 subs
Elephant's Trunk NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 42 min611 subs	3 h 41 min1,326 subs	11 h3,797 subs
Iris NebulaReflection nebula	51 min308 subs	1 h 48 min651 subs	5 h 05 min1,833 subs
Pacman NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 12 min433 subs	2 h 35 min928 subs	7 h 19 min2,637 subs
Heart NebulaEmission nebula	2 h 01 min726 subs	4 h 24 min1,586 subs	13 h4,557 subs
Rosette NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 01 min365 subs	2 h 09 min777 subs	6 h 06 min2,199 subs
Horsehead NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 26 min514 subs	3 h 05 min1,109 subs	8 h 47 min3,164 subs
Flame NebulaEmission nebula	22 min135 subs	45 min271 subs	2 h 04 min742 subs
California NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 26 min514 subs	3 h 05 min1,109 subs	8 h 47 min3,164 subs
Helix NebulaPlanetary nebula	1 h 26 min514 subs	3 h 05 min1,109 subs	8 h 47 min3,164 subs
Double ClusterOpen cluster	5 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	5 min32 subs
NGC 891Galaxy	1 h 13 min441 subs	2 h 37 min942 subs	7 h 25 min2,671 subs
Sombrero GalaxyGalaxy	23 min139 subs	45 min270 subs	2 h722 subs
Sunflower GalaxyGalaxy	45 min273 subs	1 h 34 min567 subs	4 h 24 min1,582 subs

All 170 targets have a page for the Vespera 3.

Every target for the Vespera 3

Supernova remnants

Globular clusters

M2
M3
M4
M5
M9
M10
M12
Hercules Cluster
M14
M15
M19
M22
M28
M30
M53
M54
M55
M56
M62
M68
M69
M70
M71
M72
M75
M79
M80
M92
M107
Omega Centauri
47 Tucanae

Open clusters

Emission nebulas

Star clouds

Sagittarius Star Cloud

Planetary nebulas

Galaxies

Reflection nebulas

Getting the most from the Vespera 3

10 s subs by default; Expert Mode manual targets allow 1 to 30 s. Alt-azimuth only; CovalENS mosaic widens the field to 4.3° × 2.4°. Optional clip-on Vaonis filters: dual-band, light-pollution (CLS) and solar. The new optical baffle is not a substitute for a CLS filter.

Longer subs matter most under dark skies, where read noise rather than skyglow sets the floor. From a city the difference between 10 s and 30 s subs is small; from a rural site it can halve the total time, especially with a dual-band filter in place.

Stack across nights. Every smart scope app can continue a stack or you can combine the saved frames on a computer; the figures here are totals, not single-session limits.

Compare the Vespera 3

Useful gear

What actually fits this scope, checked against the maker's own pages: power, EQ mode, dew and carry.

Vaonis Vespera dual band filter AC022Listed by Vaonis as a Vespera 3 accessory; Hα/OIII.
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USB-C PD power bank 20000mAh 30WVaonis says an external bank extends sessions; 30 W PD as for the II and Pro.
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Vaonis Vespera backpackThe Vespera 3 ships without a case.
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Vaonis Vespera solar filterSolar mode needs it.
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All Vespera 3 accessories, and what to take on a cold night →