How to Choose Binoculars for Astronomy (Skywatching)

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
What do Those Numbers (10 x 50, 15 x 63, etc.) Mean?
The Best Binoculars For Astronomy
FAQ
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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

Orion Mini Giant 15x63 Astronomy Binoculars for Intermediate Astronomers and Daytime Observers - Extra Magnification for Closer, More Detailed Images on Amazon

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 2024-12-10 / 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

Orion Scenix 7x50 Binoculars - All-Around Performance for Both Binocular Astronomy and Scenic Daytime Viewing & Hunting - Portable, Rugged & Reliable on Amazon

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

3. Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15 x 70

Celestron – SkyMaster 15x70 Binocular – #1 Bestselling Astronomy Binocular – Large Aperture for Long Distance Viewing – Multi-Coated Optics – Carrying Case Included – Ultra Sharp Focus on Amazon

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.

4. Nikon Action EX 10 x 50

Sale

Nikon 7245 Action 10x50 EX Extreme All-Terrain Binocular on Amazon

All-metal chassis in lightweight polycarbonate shell

5. Canon 18 x 50 with Image Stabilization

Canon 18x50 is All Weather Image Stabilized Binoculars on Amazon

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

FAQ

Are binoculars good for astronomy?

Yes, they are a perfect choice as the first optical instrument to start amateur astronomy night sky observing.

What can you see through astronomy binoculars?

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.