"Hestia Kickstarter Surpasses $2 Million Goal, Transforming Smartphones into Smart Telescopes"

Vaonis' Kickstarter campaign for the Hestia system, which turns smartphones into smart telescopes for astrophotography, has surpassed $2 million in funding with a week remaining. The Hestia system combines a telephoto lens and intelligent software to enhance smartphone cameras' capabilities for astronomy, making celestial observations and photography accessible to beginners and children. The system is compatible with both iOS and Android phones and offers increased brightness and sharpness. The basic pledge for the Hestia system starts at $189, and it will be useful for viewing events like the 2024 solar eclipse and observing the sun's maximum activity next year.