I would like to know what type of binoculars are best suited for viewing the night sky.?
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October 16, 2010
I want to be able to see the viewable planets and anything else that is able to be seen. I live in a city so i need something strong enough to see clearly through the light pollution, but I do not want something so huge that i have to mount it. The price is not a problem for me.
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You won’t see any detail in the planets with binoculars.
Binos are best suited for very low contrast, dim objects that cover a large section of the sky.
The best binos for this purpose are very large objectives with very low magnification. Try 20×70 or larger. I have a pair of 25×100 myself and frankly I wish they were 20 instead of 25.
Binos are a good start for getting into astronomy. However, as was indicated, don’t expect a lot of detail. I used binos for two years before I got my first scope. Mine were 20×80 but you will DEFINITELY need a tripod if you go that large.
No binoculars. Astronomical Telescope.
You have mutually incompatible goals here. The best way to cut through light pollution is with magnification (forget about LPR binos – at best they have a limited effect). However, magnification also amplifies the effects of shaking hands making a bino mount much more desirable.
The “standard” astro binos for hand held use are usually 7×50s or 10×50s. These are a good all round compromise between aperture, power, weight and stability. Larger binos need higher power to use the light effectively and that coupled with the greater weight of larger binos makes them difficult to use effectively hand held. You do hear of people successfully using up to around 20×70s hand held but that requires practice and in any case I would still prefer under ten power.
Another option is image stabilised binos. I have a pair of Canon 12×36s that are absolutely awe inspiring. Expensive, yes, but if you sit them next to the equivalent Leicas they will look positively cheap. Compared to the Leicas they are not quite as good optically but to be honest the difference between excellent and merely very good is a small one. Then you hit the IS button and they are completely transformed.
They are comparatively small in terms of aperture but don’t let that fool you – I can see well over a magnitude fainter with the Canons than I can a traditional pair of 7×50s. I find it incredible that you can clearly see the rings and brighter moons of Saturn with a pair of hand held binos.
High magnification and image stabilization and quality optics are the important factors. Check the link below.
Binoculars are great for general orientation, star clusters, and satellites; you want them for the generous field of view. I usually pack an 11×80 or 11×70 with me, and I can hand hold them for the short time it takes to verify a target for my telescope. Even a simple 7×35 can be a big help that way. But, if are interested in planetary viewing, then you will be better served by a telescope. Planetary viewing demands greater stability and magnification then other areas of astronomy. The planets are relatively bright, but they are very small; and the surface detail can be elusive.
A nice apochromatic refractor with a bino-viewer might be just what you are looking for.