Many amateur and recreational astronomers find that using binoculars has some advantages over using a telescope. Of course binoculars won’t give quite as high power as a telescope, but often they are better for beginners since they allow the user to find the desired object more easily and typically also provide a lighter, clearer image. Telescopes take some practice in finding the object you wish to view, and can also have somewhat dark, dim images. Binoculars are also much more portable than a telescope, and are much more appropriate for the casual observer who simply wants to take a quick, closer look at the nighttime sky.
The most important thing to consider when buying binoculars for astronomical use is the ratio between the magnification and the objective lens. Typically, astronomy binoculars have very large objective lenses in order to maximize the amount of light necessary to create the image. Since most astronomy occurs during periods of low light, this is rather important! Objective lenses of sixty to one hundred millimeters are common sizes for astronomical binoculars. Higher magnification results in a smaller field of view and a darker image, so most high magnification binoculars also have a large objective lens, which will help broaden the field of view and lighten the image. However, this is something you’ll definitely want to consider – if you enjoy viewing the vastness of the sky, you might be willing to give a little on magnification in order to have a broader spectrum view.
Many astronomical binoculars require mounting on some type of tripod system, since the large objective lenses make the binoculars extremely heavy and unsuitable for hand-held viewing. Additionally, the magnification is extremely strong on these models, and it would be nearly impossible for hands and arms to remain still enough to view a clear image.
 |
AV 20x80 wide angle giant deluxe astronomy binoculars US $97.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-08-2010 19:04:40 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Zion 1" WA 70X70 mm Astronomy Sky Star Watch Binoculars US $119.99 End Date: Tuesday Feb-09-2010 16:06:02 PST Add to watch list |
 |
15X80MM HIRSCH ASTRONOMY BINOCULARS NEW US $79.99 End Date: Wednesday Feb-10-2010 20:22:53 PST Add to watch list |
 |
20X80MM HIRSCH ASTRONOMY BINOCULARS NEW US $110.00 End Date: Wednesday Feb-10-2010 20:22:56 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Zion 1" WA 70X70 mm Astronomy Sky Star Watch Binoculars US $119.99 End Date: Thursday Feb-11-2010 17:44:25 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Celestron 10x50 Astronomy Binoculars use with Telescope US $34.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-13-2010 19:00:51 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Bushnell Hunting Sports Birding Astronomy Binoculars US $34.15 End Date: Sunday Feb-14-2010 15:16:53 PST Add to watch list |
 |
*NEW* Bushnell Astralis 15X70 Astronomy Binoculars US $119.99 End Date: Sunday Feb-14-2010 16:31:46 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Zion 1" WA 70X70 mm Astronomy Sky Star Watch Binoculars US $119.99 End Date: Sunday Feb-14-2010 20:10:07 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Cabelas 20x80 Astronomy Terrestrial Binoculars US $119.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-14-2010 20:32:08 PST Add to watch list |
 |
30X80MM HIRSCH ASTRONOMY BINOCULARS NEW US $115.00 End Date: Monday Feb-15-2010 15:40:40 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Zion 1" WA 70X70 mm Astronomy Sky Star Watch Binoculars US $119.99 End Date: Tuesday Feb-16-2010 16:43:07 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Zion 1" WA 70X70 Astronomy Power Binoculars Star Watch US $109.99 End Date: Tuesday Feb-16-2010 17:08:29 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Zion WA 1" 70X70 Astronomy Star View Hunting Binoculars US $109.99 End Date: Wednesday Feb-17-2010 12:19:34 PST Add to watch list |
 |
15X80MM HIRSCH ASTRONOMY BINOCULARS NEW US $79.99 End Date: Thursday Feb-18-2010 15:40:30 PST Add to watch list |
 |
20X80MM HIRSCH ASTRONOMY BINOCULARS NEW US $110.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-18-2010 15:40:36 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Zion 1" WA 70X70mm Astronomy Binoculars Sky Star Watch US $109.99 End Date: Thursday Feb-18-2010 16:01:58 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Zion 1" WA 70X 70mm Astronomy Star Sky Watch Binoculars US $109.99 End Date: Friday Feb-19-2010 15:35:43 PST Add to watch list |
 |
25X100 Binoculars Astronomy Sports Hunt Fish Camp Spot US $249.95 End Date: Saturday Feb-20-2010 16:16:14 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Zion 1" WA 70X70 Astronomy Star Power View Binoculars US $109.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-20-2010 16:42:22 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Zion 1" WA 70X 70mm Astronomy Star Sky Watch Binoculars US $109.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-20-2010 19:49:03 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Telescope * Binoculars * Astronomy * Messier Log Book US $10.95 End Date: Monday Feb-22-2010 7:47:53 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Zion 1" WA Lens 70X70 Astronomy Binoculars Star Watch US $109.99 End Date: Thursday Feb-25-2010 14:54:15 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Zion 1" WA 70X 70mm Astronomy Star Sky Watch Binoculars US $109.99 End Date: Thursday Feb-25-2010 15:57:11 PST Add to watch list |
 |
Zion 1" WA 70X70 Astronomy Sky Star Hunting Binoculars US $109.99 End Date: Friday Feb-26-2010 15:05:00 PST Add to watch list |
Popularity: 3% [?]