It’s been 300 years since Galileo and Isaac Newton tinkered with lenses and mirrors for stargazing. Despite advancements, today’s amateur telescopes remain similar in design. Even advanced “smart” mounts haven’t evolved in 30 years, unlike the radical changes seen in other technologies.
Companies like Unistellar and Vaonis are changing this, pioneering scopes that offer a seamless setup and exceptional image quality, challenging traditional astronomy norms.
During a recent solar eclipse, I tested two generations of telescopes: the old GSO six-inch and the new Unistellar Odyssey. The GSO, a basic Newtonian reflector, is enhanced with a Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro mount. This classic “smart” telescope uses GoTo technology but requires manual alignment and star identification via a handheld controller.
In contrast, the Unistellar Odyssey uses a 4.1-megapixel sensor to capture and wirelessly transmit images to a tablet or smartphone. It features Enhanced Vision mode for detailed photos of celestial objects. Although the Odyssey lacks an eyepiece, its digital capabilities and ease of use outperform traditional scopes.
Setting up the GSO and Sky-Watcher mount is cumbersome and time-consuming. Aligning the scope, configuring settings, and manually tracking stars can take over an hour, compared to the Unistellar’s 2 minutes and 30 seconds setup time.
The Unistellar’s quick setup and impressive image quality make it ideal for events like the solar eclipse. While the GSO provides a traditional stargazing experience, the Unistellar offers immediate feedback and allows multiple users to view and capture images simultaneously.
In conclusion, the Unistellar Odyssey combines the power of modern astrophotography with the immediacy of traditional stargazing, appealing to a younger audience interested in sharing their experiences online. However, for older enthusiasts, the classic telescope’s direct view remains unmatched in authenticity and wonder.