Vaonis Vespera Pro 2: how long to image deep-sky targets

The square-sensor 2026 Vespera with 2 µm pixels. Sharper than the Vespera 3 on small targets and correspondingly slower per pixel; the 12.5 MP square frame suits galaxies and planetaries.

Spec	Value
Aperture	50 mm
Focal length	245 mm (f/4.9)
Sensor	Sony IMX676, 3536 × 3536, 2 µm pixels
Pixel scale	1.68″ per pixel
Field of view	1.65° × 1.65° (99′ × 99′)
Sub exposures	10 s, 20 s, 30 s (default 10 s)
Filters	Optional clip-on Vaonis filters: dual-band, light-pollution (CLS) and solar. 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	0.8 e⁻

Where to buy the Vespera Pro 2Vaonis 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	1 h 35 min572 subs	3 h 07 min1,121 subs	8 h 23 min3,017 subs
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	20 min122 subs	36 min217 subs	1 h 31 min545 subs
PleiadesReflection nebula	2 h 52 min1,035 subs	5 h 46 min2,075 subs	16 h5,669 subs
Whirlpool GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 06 min396 subs	2 h 05 min748 subs	5 h 28 min1,967 subs
Bode's GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 10 min422 subs	2 h 16 min816 subs	6 h 02 min2,175 subs
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	4 h 51 min1,744 subs	9 h 52 min3,552 subs	27 h9,797 subs
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	9 min57 subs	15 min93 subs	37 min220 subs
Dumbbell NebulaPlanetary nebula	33 min196 subs	57 min344 subs	2 h 22 min855 subs
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	11 min65 subs	16 min99 subs	36 min216 subs
Lagoon NebulaEmission nebula	32 min195 subs	1 h360 subs	2 h 35 min930 subs
Eagle NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 43 min620 subs	3 h 23 min1,218 subs	9 h 08 min3,286 subs
Omega NebulaEmission nebula	38 min227 subs	1 h 09 min414 subs	2 h 57 min1,060 subs
Trifid NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 14 min442 subs	2 h 23 min857 subs	6 h 21 min2,287 subs
Triangulum GalaxyGalaxy	2 h 52 min1,035 subs	5 h 46 min2,075 subs	16 h5,669 subs
North America NebulaEmission nebula	2 h 25 min871 subs	4 h 49 min1,736 subs	13 h4,726 subs
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	2 h 38 min950 subs	5 h 16 min1,898 subs	14 h5,176 subs
Eastern Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	2 h 13 min800 subs	4 h 25 min1,589 subs	12 h4,315 subs
Elephant's Trunk NebulaEmission nebula	4 h 04 min1,464 subs	8 h 15 min2,968 subs	23 h8,163 subs
Iris NebulaReflection nebula	2 h 02 min734 subs	4 h 02 min1,454 subs	11 h3,940 subs
Pacman NebulaEmission nebula	2 h 52 min1,035 subs	5 h 46 min2,075 subs	16 h5,669 subs
Heart NebulaEmission nebula	4 h 51 min1,744 subs	9 h 52 min3,552 subs	27 h9,797 subs
Rosette NebulaEmission nebula	2 h 25 min871 subs	4 h 49 min1,736 subs	13 h4,726 subs
Horsehead NebulaEmission nebula	3 h 25 min1,231 subs	6 h 53 min2,481 subs	19 h6,802 subs
Flame NebulaEmission nebula	53 min318 subs	1 h 41 min604 subs	4 h 26 min1,594 subs
California NebulaEmission nebula	3 h 25 min1,231 subs	6 h 53 min2,481 subs	19 h6,802 subs
Helix NebulaPlanetary nebula	3 h 25 min1,231 subs	6 h 53 min2,481 subs	19 h6,802 subs
Double ClusterOpen cluster	5 min30 subs	5 min33 subs	11 min69 subs
NGC 891Galaxy	2 h 56 min1,054 subs	5 h 51 min2,106 subs	16 h5,742 subs
Sombrero GalaxyGalaxy	54 min325 subs	1 h 40 min600 subs	4 h 18 min1,550 subs
Sunflower GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 48 min647 subs	3 h 31 min1,265 subs	9 h 27 min3,401 subs

All 170 targets have a page for the Vespera Pro 2.

Every target for the Vespera Pro 2

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 Pro 2

10 s subs by default; Expert Mode manual targets allow 1 to 30 s. Alt-azimuth only; CovalENS mosaic gives 3.2° × 3.2° at 50 MP. Optional clip-on Vaonis filters: dual-band, light-pollution (CLS) and solar.

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 Pro 2

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 AC022Same 50 mm optics as the Pro; sold on the Pro 2 page.
Amazon UK Amazon US
USB-C PD power bank 20000mAh 30WExternal bank extends the 11 h battery.
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Vaonis Vespera light pollution filterVaonis says a CLS filter is still needed under light pollution.
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Vaonis Vespera solar filterSolar mode needs it.
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All Vespera Pro 2 accessories, and what to take on a cold night →