Best pair of binoculars for astronomy?

5 Responses to Best pair of binoculars for astronomy?

1. Boatman1 says:

   May 6, 2011 at 1:40 pm

   10×50s would be just fine–

   Something like these–
   http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=binocular_standard/~pcategory=binocular_standard/~product_id=09351

   http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=binocular_standard/~pcategory=binocular_standard/~product_id=09333
2. eelfins says:

   May 6, 2011 at 2:27 pm

   10 X 50 or 7 X 50. The second number is what counts, since it’s light-gathering and not magnification you want in binoculars. If you can get 70 or 80 mm that’s even better. Mine is 16 X 80, I use a monopod and a fold-up chair, it’s perfect.
3. Geoff G says:

   May 6, 2011 at 3:14 pm

   I’ve owned and used many different binoculars for astronomy, and I’ve found 10×50 to be the best size. Orion’s Scenix 10×50 is generally considered to be a “Best Buy.”
4. Dreampsycles says:

   May 6, 2011 at 3:56 pm

   Actually, choosing binoculars for astronomy is a lot like choosing a telescope for astronomy; the bigger the aperture the better – within limits of course.

   10×50’s will do fine in most circumstances, but you will be surprised at how many more stars you will see with 11×70s. They gather considerably more light than the 10×50’s, and this is what you really need. Most 11×50’s are still light enough that they can be held steadily by bare hands, but any of the larger binos (like 12×80’s, or 15×100’s will require a tripod.

   In 10×50, the ten refers to the magification, and the 50 refers to the aperture Divide the aperture by the magnification, and you get the “exit pupil” – a very important consideration in binos. Most younger people (under 30) have a night time pupil size of between 5 and 7mm. For optimal “seeing” with binos’ you want the “exit pupil” of the eyepiece to match the size (or fall within the range ) or your night time pupil. For an older person over say, 50, their night time pupil size might be only 4 mm, and therefore the excess light in a 7mm exist pupil would be wasted – it would fall outside of the pupil and therefore be unseen. they would be better off with binos of slightly higher magnification to aperature size; 15×70’s would produce an exist pupil of about 4.5 – much more suited to their night time viewing.

   Carl
5. The Astronomer from Alkalurops says:

   May 6, 2011 at 4:47 pm

   That would be fine for the portability, size and prize. Go and buy one now our fellow astronomer.

   Clear skies for you!