On 13 Feb 2007 04:04:02 -0800, "Tulpa" <richard.hesk...@gmail.com
wrote:
Hi there, I am looking for advice. What specifications would anyone
suggest for Binoculars capable of making sense of the stars? I would
like to see more than I can with the naked eye...
I live in the North of England. Not good conditions. I can't even make
out the Milky Way!
Hi Tulpa, I don't know what you mean by "capable of making sense of
the stars." Any pair of binoculars will show you more than you can
see with the naked eye.
In my opinion something in the 7x35 to 10x50 range would be a good
place to start with a pair of binoculars.
I use 8x42, 20x80 and 25x100 binoculars from a much darker site than
you have. Each of these binoculars have their own specific strengths
and weaknesses. Each gets used from time to time; but currently (and
this changes from time to time) my most used binoculars are the
20x80s. Least often used are the 25x100s.
Depending on the object(s) being observed, different binoculars will
do the job best. No single binocular can do everything better than
any other pair of binoculars. For this reason, many of us own more
than one pair of binoculars.
Nevertheless, it's probably best to start small (7x35, 8x42, or
10x50). The small binoculars will remain useful even after moving up
to larger binoculars.
Due to my darker sky, I use binoculars somewhat differently than
you'll be able to use them. The 8x42s are useful for planetary
groupings with or without the moon. They're the binocular of choice
for larger comets -- comets that are too large to fit entirely within
the smaller fields of view of larger binoculars. Sometimes I simply
scan the Milky Way with the 8x42s, or look for some of the more
prominent deep sky objects. These binoculars are also very practical
for most daytime applications.
I used to use the 20x80s almost always attached to a mount and tripod;
but now that I have even larger (25x100) binoculars I've begun using
the 20x80s more and more often handheld. I've been having a great
time using the 20x80s (handheld) to round up Messier and other deep
sky objects. From a dark site all the Messier objects can be seen
with 20x80s. In the past these binoculars have been used to make solar
and lunar observations as well as occasional comet observations
(mounted).
The 25x100s are big and heavy! I *have* used them handheld for a few
brief observations; but these binoculars really should be used with a
sturdy mount and tripod. As such, one of the big advantages of
smaller binoculars is lost with the larger 25x100s. I use a rather
large tripod and mount with them. They are about as portable and
'easy' to set up as a medium sized telescope! Nevertheless, they can
provide some outstanding views of many deep sky objects as well as
detailed views of the Moon. As with the other binoculars, the 25x100s
perform very well for observing comets, particularly those that are
small enough to fit entirely within the small, 2.33 degree field of
view.
My website:http://www.rangeweb.net/~sketcher/index.html
and blog both contain some sketches made while observing with
binoculars (as well as telescopes).
It should be possible to use just about any pair of binoculars
advantageously for astronomy; but different binoculars possess
different advantages and disadvantages. Much depends on what you
expect to see with them. It's entirely possible that you'll be
disappointed regardless of the binoculars chosen. OTOH, you might be
very happy regardless of the binoculars chosen!!
What do you expect to see with binoculars from your location?
--
Bill
Celestial
Journeyshttp://cejour.blogspot.com
