Explore Scientific 30mm 52° Series Argon-Purged Waterproof Eyepiece
The Explore Scientific 30mm 52° Series eyepiece offers an exceptional balance of wide-field views, premium optical coatings, and a rugged waterproof design, making it an outstanding choice for both beginner and advanced astronomers. With a well-corrected 52-degree apparent field of view and excellent eye relief, this eyepiece is perfect for deep-sky exploration, giving you bright, sharp images of nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters while maintaining comfort for long observing sessions.
Whether you’re scanning the Milky Way with a fast Dobsonian or fine-tuning planetary details on a high-end refractor, the 30mm 52° eyepiece provides crisp, high-contrast views with minimal optical aberrations. Its multi-element, fully multi-coated optics ensure excellent light transmission, while the argon-purged, waterproof design protects against internal fogging and contamination—ensuring longevity and reliability even in humid conditions.
A Wide-Field Eyepiece for Expansive Celestial Views
The 30mm focal length makes this eyepiece a fantastic choice for wide-field observation, allowing you to take in expansive celestial landscapes in a single view. Whether you’re observing sprawling emission nebulae, open star clusters, or distant galaxies, the 52-degree apparent field of view delivers immersive, detailed images with pinpoint stars across the majority of the field.
While ultra-wide-angle eyepieces offer even greater fields, many astronomers appreciate the 52-degree design for its natural, comfortable framing of objects, providing a balance between immersive views and sharpness. This eyepiece excels when used in combination with telescopes of varying focal lengths, whether you’re working with a large aperture reflector or a compact refractor.
Exceptional Optical Quality for Crisp, High-Contrast Views
Explore Scientific engineered this eyepiece to deliver bright, well-corrected images across the field of view, using premium optics that minimize distortion and aberrations. The advanced optical design features multiple lens elements that have been fully multi-coated, ensuring maximum light transmission while reducing reflections, internal scatter, and ghost images.
Additionally, the internal lens edges are blackened to suppress stray light, enhancing contrast and improving visibility of faint deep-sky objects. This is particularly beneficial when observing under dark skies, where fine details in nebulae and galaxies become more apparent with optimal contrast.
Comfortable Eye Relief for Extended Observing Sessions
With 22mm of eye relief, this eyepiece is a fantastic choice for both eyeglass wearers and those who observe without glasses. The large eye lens makes it easy to position your eye properly to take in the full field of view without having to strain or adjust frequently.
The fold-down rubber eyecup allows for customized comfort, helping to block out ambient light for improved contrast. Observers who wear glasses will appreciate the generous eye relief, as it allows them to see the full field without having to press their glasses uncomfortably close to the eyepiece.
Argon-Purged and Waterproof for Durability in Any Environment
Unlike conventional nitrogen-purged eyepieces, the Explore Scientific 30mm 52° Series is argon-purged and O-ring sealed, making it completely waterproof and resistant to internal fogging. Argon molecules are larger and more resistant to diffusion compared to nitrogen, meaning the eyepiece maintains its protective environment for a longer period of time.
This ensures that your eyepiece remains free from internal moisture, even in humid or dewy conditions. If you frequently observe in areas with temperature fluctuations or high humidity, this waterproof design helps preserve optical performance while protecting against dust and debris.
Perfect for a Variety of Telescopes
With its 2-inch barrel size, this eyepiece is compatible with most telescopes that accept 2-inch accessories. It excels in both fast and slow optical systems:
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For fast f/ratio telescopes (f/4 - f/6): The 30mm focal length provides a wide, bright exit pupil, making it ideal for scanning large star fields and deep-sky objects with high light-gathering power. Perfect for Dobsonian and large Newtonian users looking to maximize their low-power, wide-field views.
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For longer focal length telescopes (f/7 and above): This eyepiece serves as an excellent finder eyepiece, making it easier to locate and frame objects before switching to higher magnifications. Ideal for refractor and SCT users who want a dependable, sharp, low-power eyepiece in their collection.
Technical Specifications
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Focal Length: 30mm
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Apparent Field of View: 52°
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Eye Relief: 22mm
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Lens Elements: Fully Multi-Coated
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Barrel Size: 2 inches
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Purging: Argon-Purged, Waterproof & Fog-Resistant
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Eyecup: Fold-down rubber for comfort and stray light reduction
An Affordable Yet Premium Wide-Field Eyepiece
If you’re looking for an eyepiece that delivers sharp, contrast-rich images in a waterproof, durable package, the Explore Scientific 30mm 52° Series is an excellent choice. Designed with high-quality optics, generous eye relief, and a comfortable field of view, this eyepiece is perfect for anyone wanting to explore deep-sky objects with a balance of performance and affordability.
Invest in a premium eyepiece that will last for years of stargazing adventures, delivering crisp, immersive views of the universe with every observing session.
