Using Binoculars for Astronomy - Binoculars.com
Processing
Binoculars.com > 
Helpful Information

Using Binoculars for Astronomy

Using Binoculars for Astronomy



Using Binoculars for Astronomy

1. How To Select Your First... 2. Magnification and Using Eye... 3. Using a Barlow Lens 4. Image Orientation
5. Telescope Mounts 6. Star Parties 7. Polar Alignment 8. Adjusting Your Eyes...
9. Eyepiece Formats 10 Electronic GOTO and GPS... 11. Got a Nice View? 12. Observing Our Closest Star
13. Filters Filters Filters 14. Using Binoculars for Astronomy 15. What Can You See... 16. Astrophotography
17. Can you see the Flag or... >> Back to the 101 index <<

Not interested in the complexities of a telescope? A good pair of binoculars can bring the heavens closer in a much easier to use package. Binoculars give you the advantage of using both eyes for a more three dimensional stereo view. Binoculars can be very good for observing the moon and stars. The Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy are easy to spot on a dark clear night. Even Jupiter and its Moons are visible through a pair of binoculars.

Choosing a Binocular for Astronomy

When choosing a binocular for astronomy you first need to understand how binoculars work. Similar to telescopes, a binocular needs to gather light. The same critical feature for telescopes is the same in binoculars - you need a large enough objective lens to gather light.

Binoculars are measured with two key features - its magnification and its objective lens. For example, a binocular may be listed as 10x50. The first number 10 is the magnification of the binocular. The second is the size of the objective or outside lens in millimeters. 10 times the naked eye with a 50mm objective.

Like telescopes, objective is the most important factor. It's the same for binoculars for astronomy. We recommend a minimum of a 50mm objective lens for astronomy. A 7x50 or 10x50 are very common choices for astronomy. They offer a large enough objective lens and a magnification that is enough to bring objects close enough to observe.

Giant Binoculars

Even better for astronomy is the larger objective lens binoculars. Many astronomy binoculars will features objective lenses between 60mm to 100mm or even more. These larger binoculars will usually require a tripod, as they are very heavy. The larger objective size binoculars will often have much more magnification than traditional sized binoculars. Powers of 10x, 15x, 20x or more are common on larger astronomy binoculars. When you have binoculars of this size and magnification - having a steady hand is usually not enough. Having them mounted on a tripod will give you the best results. Many giant binoculars will have a built-in tripod mount or have an adapter included or sold separately.

Image Stabilized Binoculars

One of the greatest advancements in binoculars is the Image Stabilized binocular. Brands such as Canon and Nikon have developed a revolutionary method of stabilizing the image with a tiny microprocessor inside to counter the movement of your hands. These binoculars are amazing for astronomy as you can have all the advantages of high power magnification without the need of a tripod.

1. How To Select Your First... 2. Magnification and Using Eye... 3. Using a Barlow Lens 4. Image Orientation
5. Telescope Mounts 6. Star Parties 7. Polar Alignment 8. Adjusting Your Eyes...
9. Eyepiece Formats 10 Electronic GOTO and GPS... 11. Got a Nice View? 12. Observing Our Closest Star
13. Filters Filters Filters 14. Using Binoculars for Astronomy 15. What Can You See... 16. Astrophotography
17. Can you see the Flag or... >> Back to the 101 index <<

Shop By Category
recently viewed

Zhumell 9-27x50 Zoom Binoculars

Our Price: $109.99

Barska 10x50 Storm Binoculars

Our Price: $119.99

Zhumell L Mount Tripod Adapter

Our Price: $15.99

Zeiss Victory FL 10x56 Binoculars

Our Price: $2,599.99

Minox HG 10x43 BR Binoculars

Our Price: $949.99

Oberwerk 20x90 Binoculars

Our Price: $299.95

Minox BV 8x25 BR W Binoculars

Our Price: $149.99

Vortex 15x56 HD Kaibab Binoculars

Our Price: $1,199.99

Maui Jim Whaler Sunglasses

Our Price: $266.00

Swarovski Lift Carrying Strap

Our Price: $49.99

Leupold Compact Tripod

Our Price: $79.98

Bushnell 7x50 Marine Binoculars

Our Price: $109.98

Minox BL 13x56 BR Binoculars

Our Price: $829.99

Zhumell Lightweight Tripod

Our Price: $39.99

Vortex 10x42 Fury Binoculars

Our Price: $359.99

Bogen Wilderness Tripod Kit

Our Price: $198.00

Minox BD 10x44 BP Binoculars

Our Price: $599.00

Barska 8x42 Storm EX Binoculars

Our Price: $149.99

Vortex 8x42 Razor Binoculars

Our Price: $749.99

Barska 20x80 X-Trail Binoculars

Our Price: $105.99

Minox BD 10x25 BR Binoculars

Our Price: $229.99

Steiner 8x22 Safari Binoculars

Our Price: $89.99

Minox BV 10x25 BR W Binoculars

Our Price: $159.99

Minox HG 10x52 BR Binoculars

Our Price: $1,099.99

Swarovski 10x42 EL Binoculars

Our Price: $1,749.98

Steiner 15x80 Military Binoculars

Our Price: $1,099.98

Minox BL 10x42 BR Binoculars

Our Price: $449.99

Celestron Regal LX 8x42

Our Price: $248.00

Pentax 10x42 DCF HRc Binoculars

Our Price: $269.00

Nikon 7x15 High Grade Monocular

Our Price: $229.00

Bushnell Shooters Stand Tripod

Our Price: $42.00

Pentax 8x25 DCF SW Binoculars

Our Price: $129.00

Nikon 20-60x85 EDG Fieldscopes

Our Price: $3,299.95

NcSTAR 2.5-10x40 G-Ill.

Our Price: $58.98

Vortex 10x32 Viper Binoculars

Our Price: $499.99

Zeiss Victory FL 8x42 Binoculars

Our Price: $2,249.99

Bushnell Yardage Pro Scout

Our Price: $249.00

Minox BL 8x42 BR Binoculars

Our Price: $439.00

Minox BV 10x42 BR Binoculars

Our Price: $299.99

Alpen 8x42 Wings ED Binoculars

Our Price: $392.00

Minox BL 8x32 BR Binoculars

Our Price: $399.00

Minox HG 8.5x43 BR Binoculars

Our Price: $899.99

Tasco 8x42 Standard Binoculars

Our Price: $61.00

Zhumell Tripod Window Mount

Our Price: $18.00

Pentax 10x36 DCF NV Binoculars

Our Price: $199.98

Vortex 8x42 Viper Binoculars

Our Price: $519.99

Nikon 10x42 EDG Binoculars

Our Price: $1,999.99

Nikon 8x32 Premier Binoculars

Our Price: $899.99

Vortex 10x42 Viper Binoculars

Our Price: $529.99

Classic Binoculars Strap

Our Price: $19.99

Audubon 7x18 Mini Binoculars

Our Price: $18.99

Swarovski SLC 10x42 WB Binoculars

Our Price: $1,399.00

Nikon 20x120 Bino-Telescope

Our Price: $5,599.98

Minox BD 8x44 BP Binoculars

Our Price: $549.00

Steiner 8x42 Merlin Binoculars

Our Price: $499.98

Zhumell Optic Cleaning Kit

Our Price: $9.98

Nikon 10x25 Ecobins Binoculars

Our Price: $138.98

Carson Hawk 5x30 Binoculars

Our Price: $15.99

Zhumell Heavy-Duty Tripod

Our Price: $109.00

Steiner 8x32 Merlin Binoculars

Our Price: $461.00

Bogen 785SHB Modo Mini Tripod

Our Price: $62.00

Swarovski Binocular Suspenders

Our Price: $32.99

Zhumell Professional Tripod

Our Price: $89.00