A new type of telescope uses your smartphone to see the stars, and it just went on sale

So many fascinating pictures of space don’t actually come from NASA or even a satellite. They come from someone with a telescope and a camera. Astro photography is a cool hobby, but it can be expensive to get into. Instead of buying an expensive camera and an even more expensive telescope, take a look at Hestia. This smartphone-based telescope makes capturing detailed images of the Moon, Sun, and stars simple, and it’s on sale now for $259.99 (reg. $299).

Hestia uses your phone’s main camera in combination with a patented six-lens optical system. It delivers 5x sharper images and up to 25x magnification, making it possible to photograph lunar craters, sunspots, and even distant star clusters with impressive clarity.

Setup is simple: mount Hestia on the included tripod, align your phone using the Gravity app, and let the app guide you to your target.

The Ultimate Pack comes with everything it takes to get started. A solar filter and precision pointer make daytime Sun photography safe, while Night Mode lets you track the Moon’s phases and capture starlit skies. There is also a Scenery Mode for turning Hestia into a high-powered lens for landscapes or wildlife.

Hestia is designed for outdoor use, with waterproofing, impact resistance, and temperature tolerance, plus a hardshell case for travel. No batteries are required, so it is always ready when you are.

Right now, it’s only $259.99 to get Hestia, your own smartphone telescope.

Hestia: First Ever Smartphone-Based Telescope (Ultimate Pack)See Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.