A telescope is of no use without a powerful eyepiece. The optical aspects of a powerful eyepiece enable you to focus the view collected by your binocular. So, it is only an eyepiece that brings the excessively far planets and galaxies into your focus for a closer observation. Here, I have formed a list of the best telescope eyepieces for viewing planets and other celestial bodies. Check it out.
1. SVBONY Telescope Lens 4mm Telescopes Eyepiece
Features:
Focal Length: The 4mm/10mm/23mm focal lengths are perfect to observe the lunar holes and to observe the moon’s surface with low, medium and high magnification. It is perfect to observe the surface of other planets in magnifying view with these focal lengths.
Field of View: Ultra-wide 62-degree field of view is perfect to view your target planet in more detail. It enables you to view the image without any virtual distortion.
Broad-Observation Focuser lens: The 1.25” standard broad-observation focuser allows you to view the lunar motion and surface in broader view.
Optical Lenses: FMC glass optics enhances the transmittance of light rays. So, you can obtain high achromatic photos of the far-off planets including Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter.
- Perfect to observe the lunar holes
- Watch the bright heavenly bodies including nebula and galaxies in more detailed view.
- Perfect to observe the deep sky targets and far-off planets surface.
- Its 1.25” focuser gives a broad view of the lunar surface.
- The product includes a lifetime warranty.
- It comes with 31.75mm diameter that is easily fitted to any telescope.
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FAQ
- Q: May I use it to observe the Sun?
- Answer: Unfortunately no! It is only for the close and keen observation of the moon and the planets. Don’t use it to observe the sun. It will burn your eyes.
- Q: Can I use it in the darkness to view the celestial bodies?
- Answer: In entire darkness! It won’t work. It has not been designed with a night vision function.
2. Celestron 1.25” Omni Series Plossl Eyepieces
Focal Length: The eyepieces with 15mm, 32mm, and 40mm focal length are appropriate for narrow, standard and high magnification of the moon’s and other planets’ surface.
Broad-Observation Focuser lens: The 1.25” standard broad-observation focuser ensures a broader view of the lunar motion and its surface.
Field of View: Ultra-wide 52-degree apparent field of view is perfect to view the moon, the planets and the objects from the deep sky in more detail. It shows the image without any virtual distortion.
Optical Lenses: The Optical set of lenses consists of premium four-elements that come with various coatings of high-transmission layers to present the image clear and sharp. To increase the contrast, the edges of the optics are given a black touch of color.
- It is perfect for a detailed view of the surface holes of Moon.
- You can observe the deep sky bodies such as nebulae, galaxies and star clusters more clearly.
- Its 1.25” focuser gives a broad view of the lunar surface.
- The product includes a lifetime warranty.
- It comes with rubber eyecup for the users with eyeglasses. You can move it upwards or downwards for better observations with the glasses on.
- The rubberized grip makes the device non-slippery while a longer observation session.
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FAQ:
- Q: May I take the full view of the moon with its 40mm focal length?
- Answer: Of course! You may take the full view of the moon. It gives clearer and closer view of the lunar surface.
- Q: May I screw an Orion filter onto this eyepiece?
- Answer: Of course! With the 1.25” filter, you will find it very fine with the Orion filter.
3. Meade Instrument 1.25-inch Zoom Eyepiece
Focal Length: 
Meade Instrument eyepiece is all about convenience. The eyepiece has a 1.25-inch reach, as well as a zoom length of up to 24mm. Because of this versatility, you can adjust the viewing range depending on the outcome that you want. Still, you will get consistent clear images with remarkable contrast.
Field of View: Due to Meade’s 1.25-inch extension, the field of view is wide enough to get a full spectrum of details. You may need to adjust accordingly, but this is better than replacing your eyepiece every now and then.
Eye Relief: Meade 1.25-inch eyepiece has a premium rubber guard which avoids eye strain. If you wear eyeglasses, the Meade eyepiece won’t give you a hard time. You don’t have to worry about eyeglass scratches and bumps.
- Flexible and adjustable eyepiece length
- Clear and accurate images
- Custom rubber guard for relief
- Doesn’t have a perfect focus
- Constant zoom adjustment is needed for ultra-clear perspectives
Comparison of Top three Telescope Eyepieces
Model
Focal Length
Field of View
Broad-Observation Focus Lens
SVBONY Telescope Lens 4mm Telescopes Eyepiece
4mm/10mm/23mm.
Ultra wide 62 degrees.
1.25” Standard Broad-observation focus lens.
Celestron 1.25” Omni Series Plossl Eyepieces
15mm, 32mm and 40mm.
52 degree wider field of view.
1.25” Standard Broad-observation focus lens.
Baader Planetarium 24mm Hyperion Eyepiece for 1.25” focusers
3.5mm to 21mm
62-degree ultra wide.
1.25” Standard Broad-observation focus lens.
4. Tele Vue 13mm Ethos 2” / 1.25” Eyepiece with 100 Degree Field of View
Focal Length: It comes with 13mm focal length for super magnifying power. It makes the planetary view perfect with a great magnification of the surface.
Field of View: The apparent field of view goes up to 100 degree that makes it a worthwhile eyepiece. It is ultra wide to observe and capture the more surface area with more details.
Broad-Observation Focuser lens: The eyepiece comes with two different focuser lenses including 1.25” standard broad-observation focuser and 2” ultra broad-observation focuser. Both of these focusers ensure an incredibly wider view of the lunar motion and other planets’ rotator motion.
- It is easy to setup and to carry with you.
- The low pupil sensitivity makes it best for daytime use.
- The highly efficient coating makes the images sharper and clearer.
- It comes with a full control over the angular magnification distortion of the images.
- A bit costly.
5. Explore Scientific 62 Degree 40mm Waterproof Eyepiece
Focal Length: It comes with 40mm focal length for good magnifying power. It enables you to observe the planets and deep sky galaxies perfectly with good magnification power.
Field of View: The apparent field of view is 62 degree. It is sufficiently wide with multi-element oculars to give you the best visual experience of astrophotography.
Ultra Broad-Observation Focuser lens: The eyepiece comes with 2” ultra broad-observation focuser that ensures an unrivalled wider observation of the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Venus and other planets’ rotator motion.
- It is easily affordable.
- Combining comfort, quality and latest technology forms this waterproof eyepiece.
- It is waterproof.
- Averted vision technology enables you to view the fainter images and objects on the planets’ surface and in the deep sky.
- It comes with excellent contrast to make it comfortable for you to gaze on any sharp and bright object.
- It does not come with night vision technology to observe the celestial objects and their orbits at night.
6. Celestron X-Cel LX Series Eyepiece
Focal Length: The Celestron X-Cel LX Series Eyepiece has a focal length of 750mm. This eyepiece is capable of achieving magnifications of 62.5x if you use the 12mm eyepiece, 107x using the 7mm, and 326x if you use the 2.3mm.
Apparent Field of View: The X-Cel LX provides a wide, 60° field of view. This is great for viewing large objects like the moon. It also offers a simple way to view the sky thanks to its large field of view, better than the eyepiece that your telescope was bundled with.
Eye Relief: The Celestron X-Cel LX Series is also equipped with a 16mm eye relief along with an adjustable pop-up eye cup for a comfortable viewing experience during extended sessions. The eyecup is friendly for glass wearing astronomers as it can be turned easily. It is also equipped with a threaded rubber, so you are sure to have a secure grip even in damp environments.
- Has multi-coated optics for a precise and sharp viewing experience
- Eye relief for extra viewing comfort
- Threaded rubber for a secure grip
- Comes with a protective box
- Not suitable for advanced usage
7. Orion 8728 32mm Sirius Plossl Telescope Eyepiece
Focal Length: The 32mm focal length is perfect to observe the moon and other planets and to observe the planetary rotation every day.
Field of View: The wider 52-degree apparent field of view of Sirius Plossl is sufficient to view your target planet and the fainter space objects in more detail. It enables you to view the image with incredibly high contrast.
Broad-Observation Focuser lens: The eyepiece is threaded to use with the 1.25” standard broad-observation focuser for broader view for the images. Extremely wide apparent and true fields produce high-quality visual effects. The edges of the lens are blackened to decrease the dispersion of the light and to enhance the contrast.
Optical Lenses: the multi-coated optics of the eyepiece create brighter and clearer view. The rubber eyecups come with it for a comfortable view of the people wearing eyesight glasses.
- It is perfect to observe the lunar holes.
- It is easy to fit in all telescopes including Cassegrain, refractor and reflector.
- Best to use with 1.25” eyepiece filters.
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8. Explore Scientific 82 Degree 4.7mm Eyepiece
Focal Length: The 4.7mm focal length is incredible for the close observation of the moon and other planets and to observe the changing tracks of the sky every day.
Field of View: The ultra wide 82 degree apparent field of view of Explore Scientific eyepiece enables you to view your desired heavenly bodies and other fainter space objects more closely. It enables you to view the image with an unbelievable high contrast.
Broad-Observation Focuser lens: The eyepiece is threaded to use with the 1.25” standard broad-observation focuser to study your desired celestial image in a broader way.
Averted Vision: Extremely wide apparent and true fields enable you to gaze the object with a slightly far angle. This skill known as averted vision is particularly of great importance when you are going to observe the fainter heavenly bodies. As this technology throws the image shadow on the part of your eye that is very sensitive for light rays. So, you can view the fainter objects clearly.
- It is suitable to fit in every telescope.
- It is best for viewing the fainter objects on the deep sky and on the lunar surface.
- It comes with averted vision technology.
- The eyepiece does not come with night vision technology.
9. Celestron X-Cel LX Series Eyepiece
Focal Length: 
The Celestron X-Cel LX Series Eyepiece has a focal length of 750mm. This eyepiece is capable of achieving magnifications of 62.5x if you use the 12mm eyepiece, 107x using the 7mm, and 326x if you use the 2.3mm.
Field of View: The X-Cel LX provides a wide, 60° field of view. This is great for viewing large objects like the moon. It also offers a simple way to view the sky thanks to its large field of view, better than the eyepiece that your telescope was bundled with.
Eye Relief: The Celestron X-Cel LX Series is also equipped with a 16mm eye relief along with an adjustable pop-up eye cup for a comfortable viewing experience during extended sessions. The eyecup is friendly for glass wearing astronomers as it can be turned easily. It is also equipped with a threaded rubber, so you are sure to have a secure grip even in damp environments.
- Has multi-coated optics for a precise and sharp viewing experience
- Eye relief for extra viewing comfort
- Threaded rubber for a secure grip
- Comes with a protective box
- Not suitable for advanced usage
Best Telescope Eyepiece for Viewing Planets Buying Guide
Finding the best telescope eyepiece for viewing planets can be difficult sometimes. You need to scour reviews, follow several opinions, and factor in the model of your telescope. There are numerous technical matters to be settled even before making your first purchase. If you’re not careful, you might end up buying the wrong model!
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Check out our special telescope eyepiece buying guide:
Consider the Eyepiece Size
The eyepiece size is the first factor that you must consider. Not all eyepieces have the same size, but typically you can find options within the range of 1.25 inches. Some brands are meant for specific telescopes while others are flexible.
If you’re on a rush, however, you can always settle for a 1.25-inch eyepiece.
Eyepiece Type Matters
Next to size, you must consider the type of the eyepiece. Currently, you can pick from three major eyepiece types: set eyepiece, zoom eyepiece, and single eyepiece. Basically, a set eyepiece contains more than one eyepiece and offers a wide range of magnification. This is a great option for beginners and dedicated telescope enthusiasts. The single eyepiece is just one eyepiece picked from the market. You can buy different single pieces but always keep an eye for the price spike. When it comes to advanced magnification, the zoom eyepiece is the best shot. You only need to focus and refocus once – unlike the first two sets where constant adjustments are required. Zoom eyepieces typically command higher price nowadays.
Don’t Forget – Focal Length is Important
Focal length is an important attribute of any eyepiece because it determines the magnification level. Typically, eyepieces with shorter focal lengths have higher magnification levels while those with longer lengths feature a lesser magnification rate. Therefore, if you’re looking for crisp images with strong details, you must consider focal length as a primary factor.
Important Technical Aspects
Not all eyepiece buyers put focal length and eyepiece type as their main buying factors. Budget constraint is still a thing, and beginners don’t like to feel overwhelmed. Other technical factors that you should consider are accessories, durability, eye relief, and general design. By taking at least five minutes in analyzing these technical factors, you will be able to get the eyepiece of your dreams.
Last Note: Main Goal of the Eyepiece
There are many reasons why you might be compelled to buy an eyepiece. It’s possible that your old eyepiece is already broken or you need a new one for your astronomy project. Do you care for details or long-term value? Do you wish to view the stars or simply nature? If you can answer these questions, finding your new eyepiece won’t be too difficult.
How to Take Care of Your Telescope Eyepiece?
Due to wear and tear, your eyepiece is bound to weaken or lose its versatility. Despite this undeniable fact, there are numerous things you can do to improve the quality of your telescope eyepiece.
Air Compression Cleaning
Regular washcloth cleaning is viable but it’s not effective. If you want a high cleansing rate, you should try air compression. This requires market air compressor cans that you can order easily. Just be careful in using the compressor cans and don’t put them too near the lens.
Cleaning Solution
If you’re unsure of using air compression, you can purchase a market-grade cleaning solution instead. Alcohol is advisable – you should pick the one with at least 70% concentration. As much as possible, don’t go beyond that percentage because it can weaken or even dissolve some fragile parts of the eyepiece.
Cotton Swab Cleaning
Sometimes, plain cotton swabs with minor solutions or water can do the trick. Be careful in using the swabs and do not press too hard. Take your time in cleaning the eyepiece, and always remember that it’s your investment!
Proper Storage
Most eyepieces and telescopes have respective boxes. After using your telescope, you must put it back in its case. If you must travel, make sure that the case is secured in a place with little physical impact.
At your home, it’s best to have a custom area for storing your telescope and collection of eyepieces. This area can be in your bedroom or special study. Proper room temperature is needed because excess heat and cold can weaken eyepiece lenses over time.
Insurance Policies
Getting into the rabbit hole of telescopes can be pretty costly. But even if you’ve spent a high amount of money for your telescope, life just doesn’t care. Accidents will happen. Your kids might knock off your telescope or play with the eyepiece. Your pets can even wreck the telescope within a few moments.
Some telescope enthusiasts protect their gear through custom-fitted home insurance policies. These policies have different coverage options, and you need to be wary of many conditions and factors. Don’t be tied with providers that charge exorbitant fees. You can always shop around by reading reviews of the best telescope eyepiece for viewing planets and asking inside telescope or astronomy forums. If possible, you should settle for bite-sized telescope insurance options so you can cease anytime you want.