Vaonis Vespera Pro: how long to image deep-sky targets
The square-sensor Vespera with 2 µm pixels. Higher resolution than the II, and correspondingly slower per pixel: expect around double the time for the same per-pixel SNR. Run-out in 2026 and replaced by the Vespera Pro 2.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Aperture | 50 mm |
| Focal length | 250 mm (f/5.0) |
| Sensor | Sony IMX676, 3536 × 3536, 2 µm pixels |
| Pixel scale | 1.65″ per pixel |
| Field of view | 1.62° × 1.62° (97′ × 97′) |
| 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 ProAmazon UKAmazon USAffiliate 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
| Target | Bortle 4 | Bortle 6 | Bortle 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy | 1 h 41 min604 subs | 3 h 16 min1,176 subs | 8 h 45 min3,150 subs |
| Orion NebulaEmission nebula | 21 min129 subs | 38 min227 subs | 1 h 35 min569 subs |
| PleiadesReflection nebula | 3 h 02 min1,094 subs | 6 h 03 min2,177 subs | 16 h5,920 subs |
| Whirlpool GalaxyGalaxy | 1 h 09 min417 subs | 2 h 11 min785 subs | 5 h 42 min2,054 subs |
| Bode's GalaxyGalaxy | 1 h 14 min446 subs | 2 h 23 min856 subs | 6 h 18 min2,271 subs |
| Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy | 5 h 07 min1,845 subs | 10 h3,727 subs | 28 h10,230 subs |
| Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster | 10 min60 subs | 16 min98 subs | 38 min230 subs |
| Dumbbell NebulaPlanetary nebula | 34 min206 subs | 1 h361 subs | 2 h 29 min893 subs |
| Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula | 11 min68 subs | 17 min103 subs | 37 min225 subs |
| Lagoon NebulaEmission nebula | 34 min206 subs | 1 h 03 min378 subs | 2 h 42 min971 subs |
| Eagle NebulaEmission nebula | 1 h 49 min655 subs | 3 h 33 min1,278 subs | 9 h 32 min3,431 subs |
| Omega NebulaEmission nebula | 40 min240 subs | 1 h 12 min434 subs | 3 h 04 min1,107 subs |
| Trifid NebulaEmission nebula | 1 h 18 min467 subs | 2 h 30 min899 subs | 6 h 38 min2,388 subs |
| Triangulum GalaxyGalaxy | 3 h 02 min1,094 subs | 6 h 03 min2,177 subs | 16 h5,920 subs |
| North America NebulaEmission nebula | 2 h 33 min921 subs | 5 h 04 min1,822 subs | 14 h4,935 subs |
| Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant | 2 h 47 min1,004 subs | 5 h 32 min1,992 subs | 15 h5,405 subs |
| Eastern Veil NebulaSupernova remnant | 2 h 21 min846 subs | 4 h 38 min1,667 subs | 13 h4,506 subs |
| Elephant's Trunk NebulaEmission nebula | 4 h 18 min1,549 subs | 8 h 39 min3,114 subs | 24 h8,524 subs |
| Iris NebulaReflection nebula | 2 h 09 min776 subs | 4 h 14 min1,525 subs | 11 h4,114 subs |
| Pacman NebulaEmission nebula | 3 h 02 min1,094 subs | 6 h 03 min2,177 subs | 16 h5,920 subs |
| Heart NebulaEmission nebula | 5 h 07 min1,845 subs | 10 h3,727 subs | 28 h10,230 subs |
| Rosette NebulaEmission nebula | 2 h 33 min921 subs | 5 h 04 min1,822 subs | 14 h4,935 subs |
| Horsehead NebulaEmission nebula | 3 h 37 min1,302 subs | 7 h 14 min2,604 subs | 20 h7,103 subs |
| Flame NebulaEmission nebula | 56 min335 subs | 1 h 46 min634 subs | 4 h 37 min1,664 subs |
| California NebulaEmission nebula | 3 h 37 min1,302 subs | 7 h 14 min2,604 subs | 20 h7,103 subs |
| Helix NebulaPlanetary nebula | 3 h 37 min1,302 subs | 7 h 14 min2,604 subs | 20 h7,103 subs |
| Double ClusterOpen cluster | 5 min30 subs | 6 min34 subs | 12 min72 subs |
| NGC 891Galaxy | 3 h 06 min1,114 subs | 6 h 08 min2,210 subs | 17 h5,996 subs |
| Sombrero GalaxyGalaxy | 57 min343 subs | 1 h 45 min629 subs | 4 h 30 min1,618 subs |
| Sunflower GalaxyGalaxy | 1 h 54 min684 subs | 3 h 41 min1,327 subs | 9 h 52 min3,551 subs |
All 170 targets have a page for the Vespera Pro.
Every target for the Vespera Pro
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
- Butterfly Cluster
- Ptolemy's Cluster
- Wild Duck Cluster
- M18
- M21
- M23
- M25
- M26
- M29
- M34
- M35
- M36
- M37
- M38
- M39
- M41
- Beehive Cluster
- M46
- M47
- M48
- M50
- M52
- M67
- M93
- M103
- Double Cluster
- Rosette Cluster
- Owl Cluster
- NGC 663
- NGC 1893
- NGC 6939
- Caroline's Rose
Emission nebulas
- Lagoon Nebula
- Eagle Nebula
- Omega Nebula
- Trifid Nebula
- Orion Nebula
- De Mairan's Nebula
- North America Nebula
- Pelican Nebula
- Crescent Nebula
- Elephant's Trunk Nebula
- Bubble Nebula
- Pacman Nebula
- Heart Nebula
- Soul Nebula
- California Nebula
- Flaming Star Nebula
- Tadpoles Nebula
- Horsehead Nebula
- Flame Nebula
- Rosette Nebula
- Cone and Christmas Tree
- Monkey Head Nebula
- Thor's Helmet
- Carina Nebula
- Tarantula Nebula
- Wizard Nebula
- Cave Nebula
- Ghost of Cassiopeia
- Tulip Nebula
- Cocoon Nebula
Star clouds
Planetary nebulas
- Dumbbell Nebula
- Ring Nebula
- Little Dumbbell
- Owl Nebula
- Helix Nebula
- Cat's Eye Nebula
- Eskimo Nebula
- Ghost of Jupiter
- Turtle Nebula
- Blinking Planetary
- Bow-Tie Nebula
- Saturn Nebula
- NGC 6781
- Abell 39
Galaxies
- Andromeda Galaxy
- M32
- Triangulum Galaxy
- M49
- Whirlpool Galaxy
- M58
- M59
- M60
- M61
- Sunflower Galaxy
- Black Eye Galaxy
- M65
- M66
- M74
- M77
- Bode's Galaxy
- Cigar Galaxy
- Southern Pinwheel
- M84
- M85
- M86
- M87
- M88
- M89
- M90
- M91
- M94
- M95
- M96
- M98
- M99
- M100
- Pinwheel Galaxy
- Spindle Galaxy
- Sombrero Galaxy
- M105
- M106
- M108
- M109
- M110
- NGC 891
- Sculptor Galaxy
- NGC 2403
- NGC 2903
- Hamburger Galaxy
- Antennae Galaxies
- Needle Galaxy
- Whale Galaxy
- Centaurus A
- Fireworks Galaxy
- NGC 7331
Reflection nebulas
Getting the most from the Vespera Pro
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.
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
- Vespera Pro vs Seestar S50
- Vespera Pro vs Seestar S50 Pro
- Vespera Pro vs Seestar S30
- Vespera Pro vs Seestar S30 Pro
- Vespera Pro vs DWARF 3
- Vespera Pro vs DWARF mini
- Vespera Pro vs Draco
- Vespera Pro vs DWARF II
- Vespera Pro vs Vespera II
- Vespera Pro vs Vespera 3
- Vespera Pro vs Vespera Pro 2
- Vespera Pro vs eQuinox 2
- Vespera Pro vs Odyssey
- Vespera Pro vs Origin
- Vespera Pro vs Origin Mark 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 Hα/OIII filter, also sold in the Pro bundle.
- USB-C PD power bank 20000mAh 30WExtends the 11 h battery; 30 W PD per Vaonis.
- Vaonis Vespera light pollution filterBroadband CLS filter for galaxies and clusters from town.
- Vaonis Vespera solar filterThe only safe way to do solar on a Vespera.
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All Vespera Pro accessories, and what to take on a cold night →