subject: Stargazing Binoculars: What to Look For [print this page] Stargazing Binoculars: What to Look For Stargazing Binoculars: What to Look For
Junior astronomers, avid star gazers, and those that just like staring up into the heavens every once in awhile, all have one thing in common. They all want to see more and they all want to see it clearer. There is so much more to see than what the naked eye allows for. The craters on the moon, the planets and so many other sights are in the distance to see. We all know that there are many different kinds of equipment available for sky viewing, but sometime not all of these are convenient. Telescopes are probably the most popular for looking into the sky, but these are not easy to carry and require additional equipment to set them up such as a tripod. Who really wants to carry all of this stuff around all the time and maybe you just want to stargaze really fast and not deal with the set up at all. For this, there are stargazing binoculars. Astronomy binoculars are a stargazer's dream.
There are certain things that you should look for when going out to purchase stargazing binoculars. Just like most products, there are many manufactures of astronomy binoculars, each one wanting you to purchase their product. So, here is what is really important.
The size of the lens is very important. The size of the objective lens determines how much light will enter into your binoculars. For astronomical viewing purposes, an opening of fifty to sixty millimeters is quite good. Stargazing binoculars look to capture the greatest amount of light possible from the night sky. The more light your astronomy binoculars let in the better your viewing experience is going to be. The magnification is determined by whether or not you will be holding the unit or mounting it like a tripod. For steady viewing with stargazing binoculars, those with 12x magnification or lower are recommended. You will achieve the best results through lenses that have a magnification of 7x to 12x. If you happen to purchase stargazing binoculars that are to be mounted on a tripod, a magnification of 15x to 30x is suggested. Astronomy binoculars with center focus are advised for cleaning and maintenance purposes. This type of binocular can also be sealed easily and protected from moisture and dust particles. Another thing to consider is the prism. Porro prisms are those with an unmirrored surface and are the most recommended for looking at the night sky.
Whether or not you are an experienced astronomer or a person that just likes looking into the sky and staring at the stars, a pair of stargazing binoculars are a must have. You can always have them with you or you can easily grab them and look towards the heavens. Now you will be able to move around to different location without having to lift a heavy tripod and find a place to setup. Just walk to another location, find the star or constellation that you want to look at and tilt your head back and enjoy.
