Utilize your phone's technology to explore and capture the wonders of the universe.
Smartphones are powerful tools, and you can use your own smartphone to enhance your astronomy experience. Whether it's taking better astrophotography pictures or controlling your telescope wirelessly, find the best smartphone accessories by clicking "Learn More."
Smartphones continue to make incredible leaps in technology year over year, and it's no surprise that the device you carry with you can help you get better at astronomy. Whether it's using the built-in camera for taking astrophotography images or helping you control your telescope, smartphones are a great way to experience the night sky.
There are many different types of smartphone accessories out there, and the category only continues to grow. With Smartphone Camera Adapters, you can securely attach your smartphone to your telescope to take amazing pictures of the moon and planets through the eyepiece. With some newer smartphones that have long exposure abilities, it's now even possible to take stunning pictures of deep sky objects through the eyepiece too.
Taken with a Huawei P20 Pro & 10" f/4.8 Newtonian by Matthijs Burgmeijer
Using Smart Telescope Control Units, you can control your telescope and more wirelessly with just your phone. While some controllers allow you to move your telescope around and automatically point at objects, others let you control your entire astrophotography rig, including your camera, autoguiding, dew heaters, and more. Smart Telescope Control Units greatly vary in price and capabilities, so be sure to find the best one for you.
Best for using your smartphone to capture images of the night sky
Ever tried to take a photo of the moon or the planets by holding up your phone camera to a telescope eyepiece? If so, you know how hard it is to hold the camera steady enough to get a good picture. Smartphone camera adapters hold your phone steady by attaching directly to your telescope's eyepiece. Then, you can center your smartphone's camera over the eyepiece and take that shot of the moon's craters you've always wanted to get. Some of the best smartphone adapters allow you to move the adapter in 3 axes: left & right (X), up & down (Y), and in & out (Z). We recommend getting one of these types of smartphone adapters as they'll be able to hold your phone rock steady.
Best for controlling your telescope wirelessly with a smartphone or tablet
Smart Telescope Control Units come in many forms and have a wide variety of capabilities. They can be as simple as a wi-fi dongle to allow your phone to point your computerized telescope for you, or as complex as a miniature computer that can control your entire suite of astrophotography equipment. More advanced smart telescope control units available can control all components of your astrophotography rig, including the telescope, mount, camera, guiding, dew heater, focuser, and more. With these types of controllers, you can control your telescope from inside the comfort of your home while it captures images of the night sky. No matter which one you choose, it will be sure to streamline your observing or imaging experience.