Baader Planetarium Morpheus 17.5mm 76° 2″ eyepiece
Are you looking for an eyepiece that works equally well on planets and large nebulae without any compromise in image quality? The Baader Morpheus 17.5mm is exactly that choice. The 76° field of view is a deliberate design decision - wide enough to give you a real sense of space when looking at the night sky, but not so extreme that you have to move your head to find the edge of the field. The result is a natural, comfortable, and impressive view that both beginners and experienced observers will appreciate.
Optical design
The Baader Morpheus 17.5mm eyepiece is built on a UWA optical design with 8 elements in 5 groups. The engineers at Baader Planetarium selected exotic optical glass with precisely controlled refractive index and dispersion. This reduces chromatic aberration to a minimum, even when used with fast refractors. Phase anti-reflection coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces ensure maximum light transmission and high contrast - something you will clearly notice during planetary observation, where every percent of transmitted detail matters. All internal surfaces of the barrel and the edges of the lenses are thoroughly blackened to eliminate stray reflections and light scatter.
Comfort and eye relief
The 19mm eye relief is comfortable for observers both with and without glasses. The eyecup is adjustable, so everyone can easily find the optimal eye position. Sharpness in the center of the field is comparable to the best dedicated planetary eyepieces, and stars remain pinpoint and sharp all the way to the edge of the field - even with fast telescopes at f/5 and below.
Build quality and practical features
The 55mm diameter body weighing 395g is designed with binoviewer use in mind - its dimensions and balance cause no problems in such systems. The eyepiece has a filter thread, so attaching a nebula or lunar filter takes only a moment. The 2″ barrel (with a 1.25″ adapter included) has a safety groove that prevents both rotation and accidental slipping out of the focuser.
A very practical detail is the fluorescent labeling on the body - under red light at the telescope you can immediately see which eyepiece you are reaching for. A transport case for safe storage and transport is included in the package.
Parfocal design
The eyepiece is parfocal with other members of the Morpheus series. This means that when switching between different focal lengths in the series, you do not need to refocus. Users rate this as one of the most practical features during observation sessions.
Who is this eyepiece for?
The Baader Morpheus 17.5mm 76° wide-angle eyepiece is a great choice for anyone who wants a universal optic for refractors, Newtonian reflectors, and catadioptric systems. The 17.5mm focal length makes it an excellent "workhorse" eyepiece for medium magnifications - ideal for:
- Globular clusters
- Planetary nebulae
- Open star clusters
- Planetary observation
If you own or plan to use a binoviewer, the Morpheus is - thanks to its size and weight - one of the few eyepieces that truly fits well in such a system. Simply put: this is the eyepiece you will reach for most often.
Technical specifications
| Parameter |
Value |
| Focal length |
17.5mm |
| Field of view |
76° |
| Barrel diameter |
2″ (1.25″ adapter included) |
| Optical design |
UWA, 8 elements in 5 groups |
| Eye relief |
19mm |
| Body diameter |
55mm |
| Weight |
395g |
| Coatings |
Phase anti-reflection coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces |
| Filter thread |
Yes |
| Safety groove |
Yes |
| Fluorescent labeling |
Yes |
| Parfocal with Morpheus series |
Yes |
| Transport case included |
Yes |
