FAQ's
Below are some of our most frequently asked questions
Which smartphones are compatible with Hestia?
The compatibility depends on what you want to observe and your smartphone’s OS (Operating System)
If you are using an Apple iPhone:
- Sun & Moon: iPhone under iOS 16 and above, or iPhone 8 and above.
- Deep Sky: iPhone 13 and above
Please note that only iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd Generations are compatible. iPads are not supported.
If you are using an Android smartphone:
- Sun & Moon: Download the Gravity by Vaonis app.
- Deep Sky: Phone list below
SAMSUNG: Galaxy S22 Ultra, S23 Ultra, Galaxy S20 and above
GOOGLE: Pixel 5, Pixel 6, Pixel 7 and above
XIAOMI: Xiaomi 12, Xiaomi 13 and above
OPPO: Find X3, Find X5, Find X6 and above
Please note that tablets and Chromebooks are not compatible.
If you are not able to find the Gravity by Vaonis app in your store (Google app store or App store), that means your phone is not compatible at all.
Is it really a telescope or just a lens attachment for a smartphone?
Yes, it's an optical system equipped with lenses and prisms that direct the collected light onto the phone's sensor.
Can Hestia track objects?
No, Hestia will not be able to track objects. The Gravity by Vaonis app will guide the user to do the tracking manually.A motorized mount will be released at a later stage to point and track the objects.
Can we observe the planets with Hestia?
The Hestia telescope will allow you to observe the phases of Venus, the Jupiter’s moons and distinguish the rings of Saturn.
Which tripods are compatible with Hestia?
The tripod must:
- be equipped with a fluid head, pan-tilt type with 2 axes (horizontal and vertical), and a ⅜” thread,
- support a load of at least 500 g (1.1 lbs),
- be stable and robust enough to prevent vibrations.
This tripod type is available in all price ranges in photo equipment retail stores.
Smartphone tripods and ball heads are not compatible with Hestia.
Is Hestia available on both iOS and Android?
Yes, we've developed Hestia to be compatible with both Android and iOS.You can check your smartphone compatibility here.
Can I use Hestia with my case on?
Yes, you won't need to remove your case to use Hestia.
Will Hestia stack images?
Yes, the Gravity by Vaonis application incorporates image stacking technology to amplify the light collected and enhance the image.
How can I check my smartphone's compatibility with Hestia?
To check the compatibility of your smartphone, please click on this link Enter the compatibility table, the QR Code and the name of the test app.
What is the picture resolution?
Image resolution will depend on the resolution of your smartphone's camera.
Can we observe the planets with Hestia?
The Hestia telescope will allow you to observe the phases of Venus, the Jupiter’s moons and distinguish the rings of Saturn.
Which tripods are compatible with Hestia?
The tripod must:
- be equipped with a fluid head, pan-tilt type with 2 axes (horizontal and vertical), and a ⅜” thread,
- support a load of at least 500 g (1.1 lbs),
- be stable and robust enough to prevent vibrations.
This tripod type is available in all price ranges in photo equipment retail stores.
Smartphone tripods and ball heads are not compatible with Hestia.
Can Hestia take pictures of the Milky Way?
No, because Hestia's field of view is not large enough to photograph the Milky Way.
What can be observed with Hestia?
Hestia, along with the Gravity by Vaonis app, includes 2 modes that will allow you to observe the following objects:
- Day mode: observation of the Sun and sunspots, total and partial solar eclipses. A solar filter is necessary to observe the Sun without danger.
- Night Mode: Moon, stars, and the brightest deep sky objects such as clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.
Although Gravity will not immediately offer a video mode, observing sunrises and sunsets of the Sun and Moon from your smartphone will be possible.