What makes the Explore Scientific 11mm 82° eyepiece "waterproof"?
The eyepiece barrel is sealed with O-rings and purged of air, which is then replaced with an inert gas, argon. This process prevents moisture, dust, and fungus from ever entering the optical housing. It also means the eyepiece will not fog up internally when moving from a warm house to a cold, damp observing site.
How does the 82° field of the Explore Scientific 11mm eyepiece help with observing faint objects?
The ultra-wide 82° field provides a large, dark background around your target, which is essential for using averted vision. This technique, where you look slightly to the side of an object, makes faint details pop into view. The wide field makes it easy to do this without the object drifting out of sight, a common issue with narrower eyepieces.
What are the best targets for the Explore Scientific 11mm 82° eyepiece in an 8" f/10 SCT?
In a typical 8" f/10 SCT with a 2032mm focal length, this 11mm eyepiece yields 185x magnification. This is an excellent power for:
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Globular Clusters: Resolving the dense core of M13, M92, and M15.
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Planetary Nebulae: Seeing detail and color in the Ring Nebula (M57) and the Dumbbell Nebula (M27).
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Galaxies: Studying the dust lanes and bright core of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) or Bode's Galaxy (M81).
Will I need to rebalance my telescope when using the Explore Scientific 11mm 82° eyepiece?
Possibly. The Explore Scientific 82° series eyepieces are substantially larger and heavier than standard Plössl or Kellner eyepieces due to their complex optical design and rugged construction. If you are switching from a much lighter 1.25" eyepiece, you may need to adjust your counterweights or the position of your optical tube to ensure proper balance.
Can I use Barlows or focal extenders with the Explore Scientific 11mm 82° eyepiece?
Yes. This eyepiece is designed to work well with focal extenders and high-quality Barlow lenses. Explore Scientific recommends their own Focal Extenders, which are designed to increase magnification without negatively impacting the eyepiece's native eye relief or wide 82° apparent field.
How does the Explore Scientific 11mm eyepiece perform on planets like Jupiter?
The 11mm focal length provides a powerful, detailed view of planets. On a night with steady seeing, you can expect to clearly resolve Jupiter's main cloud bands, the Great Red Spot, and the shadows of its moons during a transit. The wide 82° field is particularly enjoyable as it allows you to watch the planet and its four Galilean moons drift across the field in a single, expansive view.
