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

A 50 mm quadruplet on an 8 MP sensor with Vaonis’s mosaic mode for wide fields. Same optics class as the Seestar S50, four times the pixels.

Spec	Value
Aperture	50 mm
Focal length	250 mm (f/5.0)
Sensor	Sony IMX585, 3840 × 2160, 2.9 µm pixels
Pixel scale	2.39″ per pixel
Field of view	2.55° × 1.44° (153′ × 86′)
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 app detects which is fitted. 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 IIVaonis 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	42 min254 subs	1 h 27 min525 subs	4 h 04 min1,465 subs
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	9 min56 subs	17 min103 subs	44 min265 subs
PleiadesReflection nebula	1 h 16 min456 subs	2 h 42 min971 subs	7 h 38 min2,751 subs
Whirlpool GalaxyGalaxy	29 min177 subs	59 min352 subs	2 h 39 min955 subs
Bode's GalaxyGalaxy	31 min188 subs	1 h 04 min383 subs	2 h 56 min1,056 subs
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	2 h 08 min766 subs	4 h 37 min1,661 subs	13 h4,754 subs
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	5 min30 subs	7 min44 subs	18 min107 subs
Dumbbell NebulaPlanetary nebula	15 min89 subs	27 min163 subs	1 h 09 min416 subs
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	5 min31 subs	8 min47 subs	17 min105 subs
Lagoon NebulaEmission nebula	15 min88 subs	28 min170 subs	1 h 15 min452 subs
Eagle NebulaEmission nebula	46 min275 subs	1 h 35 min571 subs	4 h 26 min1,595 subs
Omega NebulaEmission nebula	17 min103 subs	32 min195 subs	1 h 26 min515 subs
Trifid NebulaEmission nebula	33 min197 subs	1 h 07 min402 subs	3 h 05 min1,111 subs
Triangulum GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 16 min456 subs	2 h 42 min971 subs	7 h 38 min2,751 subs
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 04 min385 subs	2 h 15 min813 subs	6 h 22 min2,294 subs
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 10 min419 subs	2 h 28 min889 subs	6 h 59 min2,512 subs
Eastern Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	59 min353 subs	2 h 04 min744 subs	5 h 49 min2,094 subs
Elephant's Trunk NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 47 min644 subs	3 h 51 min1,388 subs	11 h3,961 subs
Iris NebulaReflection nebula	54 min325 subs	1 h 53 min681 subs	5 h 19 min1,913 subs
Pacman NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 16 min456 subs	2 h 42 min971 subs	7 h 38 min2,751 subs
Heart NebulaEmission nebula	2 h 08 min766 subs	4 h 37 min1,661 subs	13 h4,754 subs
Rosette NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 04 min385 subs	2 h 15 min813 subs	6 h 22 min2,294 subs
Horsehead NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 30 min542 subs	3 h 13 min1,161 subs	9 h 10 min3,301 subs
Flame NebulaEmission nebula	24 min142 subs	47 min284 subs	2 h 09 min774 subs
California NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 30 min542 subs	3 h 13 min1,161 subs	9 h 10 min3,301 subs
Helix NebulaPlanetary nebula	1 h 30 min542 subs	3 h 13 min1,161 subs	9 h 10 min3,301 subs
Double ClusterOpen cluster	5 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	6 min34 subs
NGC 891Galaxy	1 h 17 min465 subs	2 h 44 min986 subs	7 h 44 min2,787 subs
Sombrero GalaxyGalaxy	24 min146 subs	47 min283 subs	2 h 05 min753 subs
Sunflower GalaxyGalaxy	48 min287 subs	1 h 39 min593 subs	4 h 35 min1,651 subs

All 170 targets have a page for the Vespera II.

Every target for the Vespera II

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 II

10 s subs by default; Expert Mode manual targets allow 1 to 30 s. Alt-azimuth only, no EQ mode. Optional clip-on Vaonis filters: dual-band, light-pollution (CLS) and solar; the app detects which is fitted.

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 II

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 AC022Vaonis's own Hα/OIII filter; the scope detects it automatically.
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Vaonis Vespera hygrometer sensorTriggers the built-in demister automatically; the correct dew accessory for the II.
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USB-C PD power bank 20000mAh 30WOnly four hours inside; Vaonis specifies a 30 W PD source. C-to-C cable not included.
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Vaonis Vespera backpackVaonis's padded carry for the scope and tripod.
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All Vespera II accessories, and what to take on a cold night →