Best optics that you will use long after the total lunar eclipse

The Opticron Adventurer T WP 9x42 binoculars are lightweight and waterproof Porro-prism binoculars that use fully multi-coated BAK4 glass and 42mm objectives to deliver bright, contrast-rich views that will suit anyone after an affordable way to get a close-up of the “blood moon.” Their 8x magnification also means they’re light enough for holding steady during long sessions.

For a dramatic eclipse upgrade, these 15x70 giants from Celestron pull the moon much closer. Their large 70mm objectives excel once the sky darkens, making them just as good for the Andromeda Galaxy, the Orion Nebula and the Pleiades — though a tripod is strongly recommended for steady views.

These premium image-stabilized binoculars, Canon's 10x42 IS WP, use gyroscopic sensors and a vari-angle prism system to cancel handshake at the press of a button. The result is remarkably steady lunar detail without a tripod. They’re outstanding for astronomy year-round, from Jupiter’s moons to bright comets and deep-sky scanning. Expensive but highly impressive.

With large 50mm objectives and BaK-4 multi-coated optics, this budget-friendly monocular performs surprisingly well for stargazing. It will bring the eclipsed moon into view and gather enough light for brighter deep-sky objects. Waterproof and nitrogen-purged, it’s rugged, so ideal for travel.

This nitrogen-purged monocular uses step-up ED-R-coated glass and BAK-4 prisms for impressive clarity and color fidelity. Its wide field will make framing the moon easy during eclipse phases, though, as we found out in our review of the Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 monocular, its slightly stiff focus wheel may require two hands in colder pre-dawn conditions.

Using German Schott HT glass, dielectric-coated prisms and fully broadband multi-coated lenses, this 12x52 monocular from Python delivers exceptional sharpness. It will pull out lunar surface texture during totality and help you spot brighter deep-sky objects. However, it’s heavy at 579 g, so a tripod may be required for steady views.

This 102mm Maksutov-Cassegrain pairs sharp lunar and planetary optics with GoTo automation, using SkyAlign to find and track targets in minutes. During the eclipse, it will keep the moon centered effortlessly, so you can sit back and enjoy totality. Power-hungry motors, a narrow field and a lack of portability are drawbacks, but ease of use is superb for the Celestron NexStar 4SE.

A 102mm refractor with fully coated optics, this beginner-friendly scope produces crisp, high-contrast lunar views straight out of the box. It’s quick to assemble and doubles as a terrestrial scope, though, as discovered when reviewing the AstroMaster 102AZ, its short tripod and clumsy mount limit stability.

This 130mm Newtonian reflector combines strong light-gathering power with smartphone-based StarSense plate-solving, making locating the moon — and later galaxies and nebulae — effortless. Two eyepieces included in the box provide 33x and 66x magnification, ideal for viewing the eclipse, bright planets and deep-sky objects.

This ultra-portable 30mm f/5 refractor weighs just 1.65 kg and sets up in minutes via the Seestar app. The Seestar S30 automatically plate-solves, focuses and stacks exposures, making eclipse imaging effortless. The small aperture limits resolution, but for beginners wanting quick lunar, solar and deep-sky shots, it’s unbeatable value.

With an 85mm mirror, 4.1MP sensor and fully automated focusing and collimation, the step-up Odyssey Pro delivers sharp views of nebulae and clusters, even under light pollution. A Nikon-developed digital eyepiece complements app control, while online citizen science projects will keep you hooked on spotting comets and even exoplanets.

A sleek 50mm quadruplet apochromatic refractor with a 12MP sensor, the premium-priced Vespera Pro produces high-resolution, wide-field images via its intuitive Singularity app. It excels at lunar and solar imaging (with the proper filter) as well as nebulae and galaxies. It’s one of the most polished smart scopes available.