Explore Scientific 8.8mm 82° 1.25″ eyepiece
If you are looking for an eyepiece that truly makes you forget you are looking through a telescope - and instead gives you the feeling of flying through space yourself - the Explore Scientific 82° Series is exactly what you need. The 8.8mm focal length model is an excellent choice for medium magnifications, where detailed resolution combines with an impressive field of view. The entire series is designed with an emphasis on high contrast, maximum resolution and outstanding flat-field performance - precisely the parameters that matter most during demanding visual observation.
Optical design
The optical system of this eyepiece consists of 7 lenses in 4 groups, corresponding to a classic UWA (Ultra Wide Angle) design that delivers an apparent field of view of 82° while maintaining good aberration correction across the entire field. All optical surfaces are coated with EMD multi-layer coatings (Enhanced Multi-layer Deposition), which maximise light transmission while suppressing unwanted reflections. The edges of individual lenses are blackened to minimise internal light scattering, and all internal barrel surfaces are also finished with a matte black coating. The result is an exceptionally high image contrast, which you will especially appreciate when observing planetary details or the fine structure of emission nebulae.
The eyepiece is filled with an inert gas that prevents internal fogging and condensation during temperature changes - a detail that serious observers under the open sky will definitely appreciate.
Comfort and usability
The 15.6mm eye relief is generous enough to make observation comfortable even for eyeglass wearers, and also allows easy use of the averted vision technique when searching for faint objects. The rubber eyecup is twist-up style - it can be folded down or adjusted to the required height according to the observer's preference. At first glance this may seem like a minor detail, but in practice it is a key feature: eye fatigue during long observing sessions is significantly reduced when you no longer have to constantly find the exact optimal eye position.
The eyepiece is parfocal within the entire 82° series, so when switching between different focal lengths in the same line you will not need to refocus - a practical advantage when comparing objects or switching eyepieces on the fly. A filter thread is included as standard.
Suitable applications
The Explore Scientific 8.8mm 82° eyepiece is suitable for a wide range of observing targets - from the surface details of the Moon and planets, through open star clusters, to larger nebulae where you will fully enjoy the breadth of the field of view. The 8.8mm focal length makes it best suited for medium magnifications, so it performs excellently in telescopes with focal lengths of approximately 600mm to 1200mm, where it will deliver comfortable magnifications in the range of 70x to 140x. The 1.25″ barrel is compatible with the vast majority of telescopes available on the market.
Technical specifications
| Parameter |
Value |
| Focal length |
8.8mm |
| Apparent field of view |
82° |
| Barrel size |
1.25″ |
| Optical design |
7 elements in 4 groups (UWA) |
| Coatings |
EMD multi-layer coatings on all surfaces |
| Eye relief |
15.6mm |
| Eyecup |
Twist-up rubber eyecup |
| Parfocal |
Yes - within the full 82° series |
| Filter thread |
Yes |
| Gas filling |
Inert gas (anti-fogging) |
| Recommended focal length range |
approx. 600 - 1200mm |
| Resulting magnification range |
approx. 70x - 140x |
Summary
Overall, this is an eyepiece that uncompromisingly combines optical performance with observing comfort - and it is precisely this combination that makes it a choice you will return to night after night.
