International Day of Women and Girls in Science - Portraits
10 Feb. 2026
Four stories to celebrate science and curiosity.
On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we would like to celebrate those who help advance science, and those who make it accessible, helping people explore the night sky with confidence every day. At Vaonis, we believe that science—along with engineering, technology, computer science, and mathematics—is not limited to research alone; it also thrives through curiosity, sharing, and the support we give one another. Whether you have chosen a STEM career, are an educator, a science communicator, a member of an astronomy association, or simply a parent or enthusiast, we all have a role to play in inspiring future generations.
Since the very beginning, our mission has been to make stargazing accessible to everyone. We are pleased to see this community grow: when Vaonis was founded, women represented around 5% of our users; today, they account for more than 10%. Through our innovations, we hope to inspire more people to marvel at the night sky and nurture their scientific curiosity, ultimately taking their rightful place in the sciences.
On this day established by the United Nations, we present four portraits of women—from past to present, from the Vaonis community to our own teams.
Caroline Herschel was a pioneering astronomer and one of the most influential figures in the history of astronomy. Born in 1750 in Germany, she later worked in England alongside her brother, William Herschel, with whom she collaborated on systematic observations of the night sky. She became the first woman to discover a comet and the first woman to receive a salary for scientific work, making significant contributions through her careful observations and cataloging of stars and nebulae.
Caroline and William HerschelNGC 7789 Caroline’s Rose Cluster, captured by Jean-Claude T. with Vespera Pro
Portrait #2
Sophie Adenot, French ESA Astronaut
Sophie Adenot is a French ESA astronaut, an aerospace engineer, and a test pilot who is preparing to join the International Space Station (ISS) for her first mission, named εpsilon. Her launch is currently scheduled no earlier than February 11, 2026, for an orbital mission dedicated to ISS operations and a wide range of scientific experiments in microgravity. She will follow in the footsteps of Claudie Haigneré, the first French woman to travel to space in 1996, a pioneering figure who paved the way for future generations of explorers.
Portrait #3
Lyndie Chiou, owner of Vespera Pro
Lyndie is a US-based science journalist who focuses on telling stories about astronomy, physics, and math. You may have read her articles in Scientific American, Quanta Magazine, New Scientist, or The New York Times*.
Equipped with a Vespera Pro, she captures stunning deep-sky images and keeps pushing her astrophotography further. We especially love her “galaxy hunter” approach, shining a spotlight on targets that are sometimes overlooked in traditional catalogs.
To learn more about her journey and what inspires her, we invited Lyndie to switch roles for once—stepping from science writer to interviewee—and share her story.
*opinions are her own
Q: Can you tell us about your passion for the night sky? How did it all begin?
The first toy I ever bought with my pocket money was a small $20 telescope when I was about 10 years old. I set it up in my bedroom to look at the Moon at night when I was supposed to be asleep.
It was only later that I learned our sky is filled with enormous nebulae too faint for the human eye and far beyond the reach of my $20 telescope. A few years ago, I wrote a news story with a similar idea and interviewed an astrophysicist about an ultra-faint galaxy composed of 99.99% dark matter. At the end, he said that strange and immense galaxies “very big, very close by” still await discovery.
Q: What drew you to smart telescopes, and why did you choose the Vespera Pro?
When I noticed the growing market of smart telescopes, I thought, “What a cool idea!” Our house is located between a street light and a tall row of trees, so the roof is the only realistic place to observe the sky. After comparing options, the Vespera Pro offered the best balance between portability, optical quality, and resolution.
Q: Can you share more about your experience with Vespera Pro? What do you enjoy most?
Anytime the night is clear, I’m on the roof setting up the telescope. Within minutes, photons that have traveled millions—even billions—of light-years start stacking in the detector, and the night comes alive. While we can’t travel to these objects, their light crosses the cosmos to reach us, and I love learning about the forces that created them.
The most distant object Lyndie captured with Vespera Pro: Arp 273 NGC 660 polar-ring galaxy captured by Lyndie with Vespera Pro
Science does not progress solely through discoveries, but also thanks to those who help guide the first steps.
With that in mind, our team wanted to highlight one of our own team members, Agnès, the voice of Vaonis customers, who plays a key role in welcoming, guiding, and growing our community.
Agnès joined Vaonis in 2020. When we first met her, we were struck by her contagious energy and a curiosity for science and stargazing that was already deeply rooted—qualities that now make her a cornerstone of the relationship between Vaonis and its community.
Now leading our customer support team, Agnès has become a familiar face within the Vaonis community. Through ongoing exchanges, she weaves a valuable bond with users—so much so that many enjoy stopping by to greet her at events and meetups.
In her own way, she helps carry Vaonis’ mission forward—welcoming newcomers to the night sky and encouraging others to explore even further.
