Pegasus Astro SmartEye: The Digital Eyepiece that Transforms Stargazing

Soumyadeep Mukherjee

Soumyadeep Mukherjee is an award-winning astrophotographer from India. He has a doctorate degree in Linguistics. His work extends to the sub-genres of nightscape, deep sky, solar, lunar and optical phenomenon photography. He is also a photography educator and has conducted numerous workshops. His works have appeared in over 40 books & magazines including Astronomy, BBC Sky at Night, Sky & Telescope among others, and in various websites including National Geographic, NASA, Forbes. He was the first Indian to win “Astronomy Photographer of the Year” award in a major category.

pegasus astro smarteye cover

The night sky holds many secrets. Telescopes help us see them. But now, a new device makes that experience even better. It’s called SmartEye. Designed by Pegasus Astro, this digital eyepiece offers something truly new. It turns your telescope into a smart, modern tool for both viewing and imaging the cosmos.

What is SmartEye?

SmartEye is not just an eyepiece. It’s a digital imaging device. It fits into your telescope like a regular 2-inch eyepiece. But it does much more than just show light. SmartEye captures real-time images from the telescope. Then it processes, stacks, and displays them on an internal screen. You see a sharp, colorful image, live. No computer needed. It uses a Sony IMX533 sensor. This is a high-performance camera sensor. It gives high-resolution, low-noise images. The sensor has a square 1-inch format with 9 megapixels. SmartEye also includes built-in cooling. The sensor stays cool, even on warm nights. This reduces thermal noise. The result is cleaner and brighter images.

It houses a Sony IMX533 sensor
It houses a Sony IMX533 sensor

No more eyepiece fatigue

Looking through a traditional eyepiece has limits. Eyes get tired. Details get lost. SmartEye changes that. It has a 2,560 × 2,560 OLED display. That’s higher resolution than many smartphone screens. You don’t have to squint. Just look into the eyepiece and enjoy the view. The eye relief is about 12 mm, so it’s comfortable even for glasses wearers. The field of view is 90 degrees, which feels wide and natural.

Live stacking and image enhancement

SmartEye shines in real-time processing. It takes many short exposures and stacks them together. This technique is called electronic-assisted astronomy (EAA). EAA boosts faint signals from deep-sky objects. Galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters become brighter and clearer. You can start seeing results in seconds. Over time, the image improves automatically. This is done onboard. You don’t need a laptop or external software. All the processing happens inside the device.

Easy controls with the Astro Crown

SmartEye has an intuitive control system. It’s called the Astro Crown. This is a rotating dial on the side of the eyepiece. With the Astro Crown, you can:

  • Adjust exposure time
  • Change gain settings
  • Start or stop stacking
  • Zoom in and out
  • Toggle between filters or overlays

You don’t need a smartphone or a remote. Everything is at your fingertips.

The crown gives multiple control options
The crown gives multiple control options

Built-in storage and export options

SmartEye includes a microSD card slot. It records images directly to the card. You can save stacked images or even raw FITS files for later processing. This makes it easy to share your results. You can transfer files to a phone or computer. Advanced users can edit these images using astrophotography software.

Full app integration

SmartEye connects with the SkySafari app. You can control your telescope, center targets, and plate solve. It supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. Using SkySafari Pro or Plus, you can:

  • Select a target from the star map
  • Slew your telescope to the target
  • View the SmartEye image on your phone or tablet
  • Share the live view with others

This feature is great for group sessions. Everyone can watch on their own screens.

View through the SmartEye device
View through the SmartEye device

Key specifications

  • 2-inch eyepiece barrel, compatible with standard 2-inch focusers.
  • Sony IMX533 Color CMOS sensor, offering high-resolution imaging capabilities.
  • Ultra High Definition Display for crisp and clear visualization of objects.
  • Wide 90° field of view, providing expansive coverage for detailed observation. 12mm eye relief.
  • High-quality 2 2-stage thermoelectric Cooling (TEC) unit, achieving cooling down to 30°C below ambient temperature.
  • Diopter adjustment ranges from +1D to -5D, catering to various visual acuity needs.
  • Dual-band WiFi support (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 802.11 b/g/n/ac).
  • Bluetooth 5 with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) support.
  • Integrated SD Card Reader for convenient local storage of FIT files. SD card sold separately.
  • USB-C Power-in port for versatile power supply options.
  • Power requirements: 5V / 3A
  • Sensor distance (backfocus): 12mm
  • Weight: 795g (28 oz)
  • Meticulously designed aluminum body ensures superior build quality and resilience.
  • Backed by a reassuring 2-year warranty, invest in SmartEye with confidence.
  • Compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

What’s in the box?

The standard SmartEye package includes:

  • SmartEye digital eyepiece
  • 2-inch barrel with safety undercut
  • USB-C cable
  • Quick start guide
  • M54 filter thread (UV/IR filter recommended)
  • Protective hard case
SmartEye package
SmartEye package

Price and availability

Pegasus Astro SmartEye is priced at $1,725 and is available for pre-order via multiple retailers.

Final thoughts

Pegasus Astro SmartEye blends the simplicity of an eyepiece with the power of a digital camera. You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy it. Whether you’re observing faint galaxies or showing Saturn’s rings to a crowd, SmartEye makes it easy. You get real-time detail. You get comfort. And you get results. For visual observers, it’s a new way to enjoy the sky. For imagers, it’s a fast and fun way to preview targets.

Pegasus Astro SmartEye
Pegasus Astro SmartEye

Clear skies!


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Soumyadeep Mukherjee

Soumyadeep Mukherjee

Soumyadeep Mukherjee is an award-winning astrophotographer from India. He has a doctorate degree in Linguistics. His work extends to the sub-genres of nightscape, deep sky, solar, lunar and optical phenomenon photography. He is also a photography educator and has conducted numerous workshops. His works have appeared in over 40 books & magazines including Astronomy, BBC Sky at Night, Sky & Telescope among others, and in various websites including National Geographic, NASA, Forbes. He was the first Indian to win “Astronomy Photographer of the Year” award in a major category.

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