Baader Hyperion 68° 24mm Eyepiece - 1.25"/2"

The 24mm, 68° Wide-Field Experience

With a 24mm focal length and a 68° apparent field of view, this Hyperion eyepiece provides a generous true field of view that is ideal for locating objects and framing large-scale celestial targets. In a long focal-length Schmidt-Cassegrain or refractor, it functions as a perfect low-power "finder" eyepiece, making it easy to scan the Milky Way or fit entire open clusters like the Pleiades (M45) into a single view.

Its clever dual-barrel design allows you to use it as a 1.25" eyepiece or, by unthreading the lower barrel, as a 2" eyepiece. This native compatibility ensures a secure fit in any standard focuser or diagonal, providing adaptability for any telescope in your collection.

Baader Phantom Group Coatings for High-Contrast Views

Baader's proprietary Phantom Group multi-coatings are a key element of the Hyperion's optical system. This advanced multi-layer broadband coating system is engineered to maximize light transmission and minimize reflections across the visual spectrum. The coatings are specifically optimized for the wavelengths where the dark-adapted human eye is most sensitive.

The result is a view with noticeably higher contrast, suppressed stray light, and natural color fidelity. Unlike eyepieces with less sophisticated coatings that produce a strong green reflection—a sign of lost light—the Phantom Group coatings are nearly colorless, ensuring that the faintest details in nebulae and galaxies reach your eye.

A Modular Platform: Adaptable Focal Lengths and Direct Imaging Threads

The Hyperion eyepiece is more than a static optical element; it's a modular system. The front lens group can be unthreaded, and with the use of optional fine-tuning rings, the eyepiece's focal length can be modified to achieve different magnifications. This allows you to fine-tune your view without introducing the additional glass of a Barlow lens, preserving maximum sharpness.

For astrophotographers, the Hyperion line incorporates hidden threads beneath the removable eyecup. These threads provide a secure, direct mechanical connection for cameras, enabling both afocal projection (imaging through the eyepiece) and direct eyepiece projection. This transforms the Hyperion from a visual accessory into a versatile imaging tool.

Hyperion 24mm Fixed vs. The Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom

Baader offers both this 24mm fixed focal length eyepiece and a popular 8-24mm zoom. The choice between them comes down to a trade-off between ultimate field of view and convenience.

• Hyperion 24mm (Fixed): Its primary advantage is the expansive 68° apparent field of view. This wider, more immersive perspective cannot be matched by the zoom at its 24mm setting. The simpler optical design also offers a slight edge in light transmission.
• Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom: The zoom's strength is its unmatched convenience, replacing several individual eyepieces. It's an excellent choice for public outreach, travel, or for quickly finding the ideal magnification for a given target without swapping eyepieces.

For observers who prioritize the widest possible true field at this focal length, the 24mm fixed Hyperion is the superior choice. For those who value flexibility and a minimalist kit, the zoom is a compelling alternative.