Astronomy

Astronomy

Best Binoculars for Stargazing

While most might immediately associate telescopes with astronomy and stargazing, there are plenty of good reasons to go with binoculars instead (or in addition to). They are smaller and more portable, and they tend to cost much less. It’s also often easier for a beginner to get to know the stars with binoculars.

There’s also the added benefit of investing in a multi-purpose set of optics — binos are great for much more than just astronomy and can be used for more activities than telescopes.

Having said that, it’s important to remember that, though there are plenty of perks to using binoculars, you won’t have the same magnification so the viewing quality is going to be different.

Some of the best stargazing binoculars are going to be big, so you may need to have a tripod handy to use them.

With all that in mind, let’s dive into our top picks for the best astronomy-friendly binos. You’ll notice that there are just a few brands — namely, Celestron and Orion — that make most best lists, and that’s because they specialize in astronomical binos. These brands are worth checking out if our top picks aren’t quite right for you.

Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars

celestron skymaster giant 15x70We covered this pair in our best binoculars guide and our full review here so it’s no surprise that the Celestron SkyMaster Giant takes our top spot for best stargazing binos.

For a relatively inexpensive pair, the Celestron does an amazing job of aiding you in your astronomy excursions. They have high magnification, multi-coated lenses, and large aperture, so there’s plenty inside that make them useful for such an activity.

While lightweight given the size, most users find that they work best with a tripod. Eyeglass wearers will appreciate the 18-millimeter eye relief.


 

Celestron SkyMaster Astro 25×100 Binoculars

Though you’ll pay quite a bit more for the Astro, the 100mm objective lens is the largest available size from Celestron. Multi-coated optics and BaK-4 prisms are optimal for low light conditions and for stargazing.

The build on the SkyMaster Astro is part of the reason for the additional cost as well. As the company notes, “Celestron has designed and engineered the larger SkyMaster models to meet the special demands of extended astronomical or terrestrial viewing sessions.” This means that, although they are large, the balance and overall design is more conducive to longer uses.

The Astro includes a tripod adaptor, which you’ll most definitely want to use to catch specifics like Saturn’s rings. It also comes with a deluxe carrying case. Overall, the SkyMaster Astro is worth a look if you have a budget in the $300 range.


 

Orion Resulux 15×70 Binoculars

Another step up in price brings us to another great astronomy-focused brand, Orion, and their 10×70 Resulux binoculars. Boasting excellent optical quality and an 18mm eye relief, this is a fantastic pair that rivals many telescopes for star viewing.

The Resulux features a comfortable grip and full water resistance. Nitrogen purged construction helps eliminate fogging. But it’s really the optical features that makes this such an excellent choice, like the BAK-4 prisms and advanced multi-coatings on all optical surfaces. Like most stargazing binos, a tripod or monopod is strongly encouraged for optimal experiences.

This is a pair you’ll see often in articles about astronomy binoculars, though its price may put it out of budget for a lot of folks. Still, we think it’s worth saving up for if you’re a serious stargazer or if you’re forgoing a telescope altogether.


 

Orion Ultraview 10×50 Binoculars

This second option from Orion is a good blend of affordability (at around $150) and quality. The multi-coated optics offer 50mm objective lenses and BAK-4 prisms for solid light transmission and good image quality. Eyeglass wearers will appreciate the 22mm eye relief as well.

This is a model that has been around a while and reviews overall are primarily positive. These are the most high powered binos out there, so folks hoping to be able to see everything will be disappointed. Even so, these work great for the casual viewer and work equally well in the daylight.

The body is constructed with cast metal alloy. The Ultraview includes a carrying case and wide neck strap.


 

Canon 18×50 Image Stabilization Binoculars

The price tag on these is not for the faint of heart. At around $1000, the Canon 18×50 IS is one of the most expensive pairs of binoculars out there, and definitely the most expensive astronomy binos. However, these are a must-have for many hard core stargazers and definitely should be considered if you have the means.

The Image Stabilization is a fantastic addition to the high-end glass and beautiful build. You’ll need 2 AA batteries for the IS and you’ll have the best results with the addition of a tripod. Having said that, Canon claims that their technology is designed to combat the shake that accompanies not having a tripod thanks to a Vari-Angle Prism, dual transparent plates, independent vertical and horizontal sensors, and a dedicated microprocessor.

These are also All-Weather, so you can count on success in any condition, and they are shock- and water-resistant. While you’ll pay a good chunk of change for the Canon binoculars, most long-time users say it’s well worth the investment.


Astronomy

Beginner’s Guide to Astronomy

There’s no wrong age to get into Astronomy (not to be confused with Astrology). People from all walks of life can enjoy looking at the stars no matter their age or skill level. Companies like Celestron, Meade, and Vixen have dedicated themselves to producing telescopes accessible to all. What may be classified as an advanced telescope because of its price can usually be understood quickly, now that technologies such as WiFi and hands-free controls are being implemented.

You don’t need the fanciest or most expensive telescope to see the planets in our solar system. However to see further into space, where some of nature’s masterpieces lie, more sophisticated optics will be needed.

If you’re a bit clueless as to handle a telescope in general, check out our guide to handling telescopes for beginners.

Starting Out

Location, Location, Location

Your first step towards a successful, continuous experience with astronomy is to scout the area around you for a good place to set up a telescope. Keep in mind that densely populated areas such as cities will have a lot of light pollution. Light pollution is the accumulation of all the light generated in a particular field. For example, a city will have street lights, cars, buildings, and various other generators that will interfere with the light given off celestial objects and a telescope’s ability to see them.

  • Our recommendation will always be the suburbs or in an open field, away from large sources of light.

If you do decide to go off-trail and away from solid ground, make sure your telescope is equipped with adequate power and stability. Chances are you’ll probably take a trip away from your home to get a good view of the night sky.

Getting a telescope

One question on every beginner’s mind—what sort of telescope should I buy? To start off, we have a couple of questions for you to help narrow down your search:

  • What do I want to be able to see?
  • What is my budget?
  • Am I still a beginner?
  • What constitutes a beginner’s telescope?
  • Am I into astrophotography?

What you shouldn’t do is buy the first fancy looking telescope you see on the internet. If the option is available to you, head into an optics store or dedicated telescope merchant to see and handle telescopes for yourselves and possibly hear from experts. Head on over to our list of best telescopes to check out the ones we think you should be interested in.

Most versions of telescopes have interchangeable optics such as eyepieces, which will keep your wallet safe from having to purchase another telescope if something happens to your optics. However, the lenses are directly proportional to the primary tube. If you want to buy a bigger or smaller tube of the same version of the telescope, make sure your parts can all fit together!

Star Maps

You can look up into the sky each night for the rest of your life and always find something new. The companies that sell telescopes will usually, but not always, include a star map or database full of celestial objects. These will be of great help to you if you desire to look at a particular planet or distant nebula.

It can be difficult to understand or read star maps at first, but one thing you can do is point out a familiar constellation. Asterisms (minor aspects of constellations) such as the Big Dipper and Orion’s belt are some of the easiest to see with the naked eye, so it would be a good idea to use those sets of stars as a foundation for viewing other, harder to find objects.

Set up

Great! Now that you’ve purchased your telescope, you’re just about ready to see the stars. Most telescopes nowadays are becoming increasingly user and assembly friendly. That’s not saying that all of them are going to be easy to deal with, but the precedent remains that you should take great care with handling your new telescope.

  • Handle the optics (eyepieces, lenses) with care. A stray fingerprint or scratch will ruin your view!
  • Don’t apply too much pressure when mounting the primary tube on the tripod or the mount. Most telescopes are designed for flexibility, not durability.
  • If you’re telescope runs on a battery, make a note to give it fresh batteries (if they are interchangeable).
  • If it runs on a rechargeable battery, ensure that it is charged and ready for each excursion.

Viewing

Congratulations! You’ve set up your telescope, powered it up, and it is now ready for the next nightfall. Wait for a clear night, preferably during the spring or summer when the skies are mostly clear. You can’t do much which thick, nighttime cloud cover.

Bring all your spare eyepieces with you. Eyepieces give you magnification, and no object is going to be in the same position each night. Distances and light spectrums shift all the time, and even the slightest of differences can leave you scratching your head wondering where Jupiter went.

Enjoy the stars!