The new Astro-Tech XWA eyepieces are offered in five different focal lengths and two different apparent fields of view. The 4.8mm is offered in a 110° apparent field of view and the 7mm, 9mm, 13mm and 20mm are offered in a 100° apparent field of view.
The eyepieces offer an apparent field of view that is nearly 50% larger in area than the Astro-Tech UWA 82° eyepieces. You could get a similar true field with a longer focal length (but narrower apparent field) conventional eyepiece, but the Astro-Tech has the benefits of the higher power and darker sky backgrounds that are inherent in its shorter focal length.
The Astronomic team notes, “Each Astro-Tech XWA eyepieces is O-ring sealed against water. While waterproofing might seem important only for observing underwater, waterproofing serves five useful purposes for the astronomical observer as well. 1 – internally sealing the eyepiece helps prevent internal fogging in the eyepiece when observing at very low temperatures. 2 – for observers in dusty climates, it halts the intrusion of wind-blown dust and fine particulates into the eyepiece body. 3 – for observers in very humid climates, it prevents the growth of fungus on the internal lens elements. 4 – for all observers, it maximizes the life of the internal optical coatings. And 5, the waterproof 4.8mm Astro-Tech eyepiece is easier to clean, as there is no risk of cleaning solution migrating from the top of the lens and seeping around edges to be trapped in between elements.”
Each of the Astro-Tech XWA eyepieces offers high contrast, comfortable eye relief, and full field sharpness – with well-controlled astigmatism, field curvature, and lateral color. The 4.mm – 13mm eyepieces fit 1.25″ or 2″ focusers or diagonals. A safety groove is machined into the barrels to engage your focuser thumbscrew. This helps prevent the eyepiece from falling should the thumbscrew accidentally loosen while observing.
Here are the specs on each eyepiece:
Astro-Tech 4.8mm 1.25″ XWA Eyepiece
– Barrel Size: 1.25″ and 2″ (The eyepiece comes with a 2″ collar that is removable exposing a 1.25″ barrel.)
– Eye Relief: 15mm
– Field of view ; 110°
– Focal Length: 4.8mm
– Number of optical elements: 8
– Weight: 19 oz.
Astro-Tech 7mm 1.25″ XWA Eyepiece
– Barrel Size: 1.25″ and 2″ (The eyepiece comes with a 2″ collar that is removable exposing a 1.25″ barrel.)
– Eye Relief: 15mm
– Field of view: 100°
– Focal Length: 7mm
– Number of optical elements: 8
– Weight: 17 oz.
Astro-Tech 9mm 1.25″ XWA Eyepiece
– Barrel Size: 1.25″ and 2″ (The eyepiece comes with a 2″ collar that is removable exposing a 1.25″ barrel.)
– Eye Relief: 13mm
– Field of view: 100°
– Focal Length: 9mm
– Number of optical elements: 9
– Weight: 17 oz.
Astro-Tech 13mm 1.25″ XWA Eyepiece
– Barrel Size: 1.25″ and 2″ (The eyepiece comes with a 2″ collar that is removable exposing a 1.25″ barrel.)
– Eye Relief: 15mm
– Field of view: 100°
– Focal Length: 13mm
– Number of optical elements: 9
– Weight: 19 oz.
Astro-Tech 20mm 2″ XWA Eyepiece
– Barrel Size: 2″
– Eye Relief: 15mm
– Field of view: 100°
– Focal Length: 20mm
– Number of optical elements: 9
– Weight: 29 oz.
You can learn more about the new Astro-Tech XWA eyepieces here.
And to make it easier for you to get the most extensive news, articles and reviews that are only available in the magazine pages of Astronomy Technology Today, we are offering a 1 year magazine subscription for only $6! Or, for an even better deal, we are offe\ring 2 years for only $9. Click here to get these deals which only will be available for a very limited time. You can also check out a free sample issue here.