Does the “number of elements” in an eyepiece matter?
A. “Element” is a term used – fairly loosely in most circles – to designate a single optical component of an eyepiece. Most eyepieces are made up of from 2 to 8 lenses, each called elements. Many (but not all) planetary observers feel that they get a more contrasty image from an eyepiece of simpler design, such as an Orthoscopic, than from more modern eyepieces which use more elements.
