When it comes to researching the market for a pair of good astronomy binoculars, many future stargazers enter the world of amateur night sky observing blindly, not knowing whether to go for binoculars, a monocular, or a telescope. To help you with this, I created a short guide for what is and how to choose the best binoculars for astronomy and stargazing for beginners for observing space, stars, planets, Moon, galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae. Next, I will tell you which factors are essential when choosing a pair of binoculars for astronomy and stargazing. Finally, I will give you some brief binoculars reviews of models I think you should consider. Happy stargazing and clear skies!
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Astronomy Binoculars vs Telescope - Binoculars Advantages
Why would you choose a pair of binoculars over a telescope for visual stargazing? There are three main reasons:
Size — Small and Lightweight
Stargazing with binoculars is far easier and quicker to set up than using a telescope. Setup for astronomy with binoculars? Grab them, focus, and you are ready to go. They are easy to transport, and when using a standard, wide-field pair of ones, you don't need any tripod or mount — only your hands.
Wider FOV (Field of View) — Easier to Find Objects on the Night Sky
Suppose you are not familiar with the night sky yet. In that case, a pair of wide-field binoculars is your best way to learn your first constellations (like the Orion constellation), stars (e.g., Betelgeuse), and some deep-sky objects like nebulae, star clusters, or galaxies. Less zoom — easier to orientate where you are gazing right now.
Price — far Less Expensive than a Telescope
When buying a telescope, you have to acquire some additional accessories:
- Tripod
- Mount
- Diagonal mirror
- Eyepieces
For example, when purchasing a pair of binoculars for astronomy, you are ready to go stargazing right after unboxing them.
And not to mention that 'raw' telescopes (OTAs — optical tubes) are generally far pricier than binoculars.
What do Those Numbers (10 x 50, 15 x 63, etc.) Mean?
The first parameter is the magnification (how many times closer the subject is to you — 7 times closer, eight times closer, ten times closer)
The second is objective lens diameter (in millimeters; the bigger the light gathering capabilities).
So, a pair of binoculars marked as 10 x 50 has 10x magnification and 50 mm objective lens diameter.
For astronomy, the bigger the objective diameter, the better — bigger objective diameter means more light gathered, thus more faint night sky details visible for a human eye. Unfortunately, although the bigger the lenses are, the heavier they become — it's crucial if you want to operate your binoculars handheld-only without a tripod.
10 x 50 — Universal Binoculars
The 10 x 50 is considered the 'standard' ratio for binoculars in general. It's a perfect combination of usable field of view, nice speed (in terms of light transmission through the glasses), and weight. 10 x 50 is a universal combination for any applications — birdwatching, outdoor, tourist, hunting, or military. You can use binoculars with those parameters handheld, without a stabilizing tripod. It's a good starting point for a beginner stargazer.
7x - 8x Magnification (7 x 50) — Widefield Models Designed for Astronomy
For handheld wide-field astronomy, you may find that models with lower zoom (7x, 8x) perform better. They are easier to operate with hands without shaking, they reveal more details, and you can see more celestial objects at once due to the wider field of view. They are perfect for beginners to get familiar with the night sky — both adults and kids.
The Best Binoculars For Astronomy
If you want to get the best astronomy binoculars picks on the market right now, look no more. Here are my personal five picks I would consider to choose today for stargazing and astronomy (and I'm a proud owner of the Nikon 10x50 binoculars mentioned below).
1. Orion Mini Giant 15 x 63
- Big 63mm diameter objective binoculars grab a ton of light and excel for both astronomical and daytime viewing
- Mini Giant binocular lenses and BAK-4 prisms are fully multi-coated for exceptional light transmission and bright images
- Binocular barrels are internally glare-threaded to eliminate ghosting and ensure rich contrast
- For steady images and extended gazes, you'll want to mount these high-power binoculars on a tripod
- Includes soft case, deluxe wide neck strap and lens caps
Last Amazon update on 2023-10-03 / Sponsored Ad - Affiliate Links (as an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.) / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Orion Scenix 7 x 50
- Great all-around binoculars for astronomy as well as scenic daytime viewing
- High-quality BAK-4 porro prisms and multi-coated binocular objective lenses ensure bright, crisp images
- Wide 7.1 degree field of view and 14 foot close focus
- Sturdy metal (not plastic) housing with large center focusing mechanism
- Includes carrying case, lens cap and deluxe wide neck strap
Last Amazon update on 2023-10-03 / Sponsored Ad - Affiliate Links (as an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.) / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15 x 70
- POWERFUL 15X MAGNIFICATION: With these giant astronomy binoculars, you get massive 70mm objective lenses and powerful 15x magnification. It's the most popular combination for viewing objects in the night sky and distant land-based targets.
- INCLUDES TRIPOD ADAPTER: Stabilize your binocular for added comfort and shake-free views. Mount your 70mm SkyMaster binoculars on any traditional photographic tripod with the built-in tripod adapter.
- BRIGHT, SHARP VIEWS WITH BaK-4 PRISMS: The SkyMaster is a favorite among those who view in dim conditions near dawn and dusk or at night for astronomy. BaK-4 prisms maximize light throughput to your eye so you see brighter, more detailed images.
- DURABLE AND WATER-RESISTANT: A rubber-armored housing protects your binoculars from damage and provides a secure gripping surface. The water-resistant exterior stands up to tough conditions and unexpected rainy weather.
- UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading optics brand in California since 1960. Your purchase includes a Celestron Limited Lifetime US Warranty & US-based expert tech support.
Last Amazon update on 2023-10-03 / Sponsored Ad - Affiliate Links (as an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.) / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Nikon Action EX 10 x 50
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof performance
- All-metal chassis in lightweight polycarbonate shell
- Rubber-coated body for firm, non-slip grip
- Magnification: 10x
- Objective lens: 50mm
Last Amazon update on 2023-10-03 / Sponsored Ad - Affiliate Links (as an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.) / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. Canon 18 x 50 with Image Stabilization
- 18x magnification
- Built-in optical image stabilization uses 2 AA batteries
- Wide, extra-bright field of view
- Lenses are multi-coated for contrast, clarity, and color fidelity
- Shock and water-resistant
Last Amazon update on 2023-10-03 / Sponsored Ad - Affiliate Links (as an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.) / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
FAQ
Yes, they are a perfect choice as the first optical instrument to start amateur astronomy night sky observing.
Outlines of bright nebulae — Orion Nebula, Carina Nebula, Eagle Nebula, Lagoon Nebula; galaxies - Andromeda Galaxy, Triangulum Galaxy, Whirlpool Galaxy; star clusters — Pleiades, Great Hercules Cluster; planets — Jupiter, Saturn, Mars; Moon, and many, many more.
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