Skip to content
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Explore Scientific 52° 10mm Waterproof Eyepiece - 1.25"
Explore Scientific 52° 10mm Waterproof Eyepiece - 1.25"
Explore Scientific 52° 10mm Waterproof Eyepiece - 1.25"
Explore Scientific 52° 10mm Waterproof Eyepiece - 1.25"

Explore Scientific 52° 10mm Waterproof Eyepiece - 1.25"

by Explore Scientific
SKU ES-EPWP5210-01
$69.99 - $69.99
$69.99
$69.99 - $69.99
$69.99
Price Match Policy!
  • 10mm Focal Length
  • 52° Apparent Field of View
  • 1.25" Barrel Diameter
  • Waterproof, Argon-Purged Construction
  • Flat-Field Multi-Element Optical Design
2 in stock
Qualifies for FREE Shipping in CONUS on orders over $350.
Visual Simulator Preview
Visual Simulator Instant FOV Preview

Preview your eyepiece's FOV

Simulate the exact field of view of the Explore Scientific 52° 10mm Waterproof Eyepiece - 1.25" with your specific telescope.

Launch Visual Assistant
  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Explore Scientific 52° 10mm Waterproof Eyepiece - 1.25"

    The Explore Scientific 52° 10mm Waterproof Eyepiece delivers a critical medium-power view through its 1.25" barrel, providing a sharp 52° apparent field of view. This multi-element ocular is argon-purged to be fully waterproof, ensuring it remains free of internal fogging during dewy nights where simpler eyepieces would fail.

    The 10mm Focal Length: Your Go-To for Medium Magnification

    A 10mm eyepiece is a foundational tool in any observer's kit, marking the transition from low-power scanning to detailed observation. It provides enough magnification to resolve detail in brighter deep-sky objects and begin splitting tight double stars, without pushing the limits of atmospheric seeing on most nights.

    For many amateur telescopes, this focal length is ideal for targets that are too dim to withstand very high power. Objects like the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) or the galaxies of the Leo Triplet (M65, M66, NGC 3628) are framed perfectly, revealing structure that would be lost at lower magnification.

    52° Flat-Field Optics for Superior Contrast

    With an apparent field of view of 52 degrees, this eyepiece presents a classic, immersive window on the sky. Its advanced flat-field, multi-element design produces excellent contrast, which is crucial for discerning faint details against the sky background. This high-contrast view makes it easier to use averted vision—looking slightly to the side of a target—to detect faint extensions in nebulae or the dim outer stars of a globular cluster.

    1.25" Barrel with Argon-Purged Waterproofing

    The chief advantage of this eyepiece is its sealed, waterproof construction. The optical housing is purged with inert argon gas, which prevents internal condensation from forming when the temperature drops. This means you can move from a warm house to a cold observing site without the eyepiece fogging up from the inside.

    This hermetic seal also protects the internal lens coatings from moisture, fungus, and dust over the long term. The standard 1.25" barrel ensures compatibility with the vast majority of telescope focusers and diagonal mirrors.

    Explore Scientific 10mm 52° vs. a Standard 10mm Plössl

    While a standard Plössl is a common entry-level eyepiece, the Explore Scientific 52° 10mm offers distinct advantages for a modest increase in investment.

    • Standard Plössl Advantage: A simple 4-element Plössl is often lighter and less expensive.
    • Explore Scientific 52° Advantage: The multi-element, flat-field design of the Explore Scientific eyepiece provides sharper stars at the edge of the field, especially in faster telescopes. Its superior contrast and fully waterproof build make it a far more reliable and capable tool for serious deep-sky observing.

  • What makes the Explore Scientific 10mm 52° eyepiece waterproof?

    The eyepiece is hermetically sealed and purged with inert argon gas. This process removes internal moisture-laden air, preventing condensation from forming on the internal lens surfaces when the eyepiece gets cold. It also protects the delicate coatings from long-term degradation.

    How does the 52° field of view in this eyepiece compare to a standard Plössl?

    The 52° apparent field of view is very similar to that of a classic Plössl design. The key difference is in the optical correction; the Explore Scientific 52° series uses a more advanced flat-field design that maintains better star sharpness toward the edge of the field compared to a comparably priced Plössl.

    How will this 10mm eyepiece perform on the Orion Nebula (M42) in an 8" f/10 SCT?

    In an 8" f/10 SCT, this 10mm eyepiece will provide 203x magnification. This is an excellent power for examining the core of the Orion Nebula (M42), easily resolving the four primary stars of the Trapezium cluster (Theta-1 Orionis) and revealing the intricate gas clouds and structures immediately surrounding them.

    Is the Explore Scientific 10mm 52° a good choice for globular clusters like M13 in a 6" f/8 Dobsonian?

    Yes, it's a great choice. In a 6" f/8 Dobsonian, a 10mm eyepiece yields 122x magnification. This is often the sweet spot for resolving the dense core of the Hercules Cluster (M13) into individual stars while keeping the cluster beautifully framed within the 52° field of view.

    Why is a 10mm eyepiece considered a 'workhorse' focal length?

    A 10mm eyepiece provides a significant step up in magnification from low-power "finder" eyepieces without being so powerful that the view is easily blurred by atmospheric turbulence. It's versatile enough for planetary viewing on steady nights, resolving details in galaxies, and studying planetary nebulae, making it one of the most frequently used eyepieces in a collection.

    What is 'averted vision' and why is this eyepiece good for it?

    Averted vision is the technique of looking slightly to the side of a faint object to see it more clearly. This places the image on a part of your retina that is more sensitive to low light. The Explore Scientific 10mm 52° eyepiece is excellent for this because its high-contrast optics make the faint glow of deep-sky objects stand out more distinctly from the black sky background, making the technique more effective.

  • Focal Length 10mm
    Apparent Field of View 52°
    Barrel Size 1.25"
    Waterproof Yes, Argon-Purged
    GTIN 811803030039

    • Explore Scientific 52° 10mm Waterproof Eyepiece

      × 1

  • Explore Scientific Warranty