Which binoculars are best for astronomy?
Most people consider binoculars for hobbies such as birdwatching. However, they are an extremely useful tool to have to watch the night skies.
As they are smaller and more lightweight than telescopes, binoculars are extremely portable, so you don’t have to worry about carrying around lots of heavy tech to be able to observe the universe around us at night. If you are just entering the world of stargazing, then they can be a more affordable choice for the beginner, and with technology advancing and binoculars being produced specifically for night-sky viewing, even an advanced stargazer can benefit from the purchase of a good pair!
When it comes to purchasing binoculars for astronomy, it is helpful to follow this guide as a rule of thumb:
Magnification: Magnification may be one of the most important aspects of choosing the right binoculars. The higher the magnification number, the larger the magnification will be. This is the first number of a pair you will see on any specification for binoculars. “7×50” for example – 7 is the magnification number.
The magnification number is important, as the higher the number the ‘closer’ you will get to the celestial objects you want to observe, however, the higher the magnification, the steadier your hands will have to be to stop the image from wobbling! Most binoculars that are good for astronomy will range in magnification from 7-20.
Objective lens diameter: In conjunction with the magnification, you have to consider the size of the objective lens. This is the second number and is the lens diameter of each ocular in mm. As astronomy binoculars will mostly be used at night, where there isn’t much light, the objective lens size will often be larger than your average binoculars to allow for as much light as possible. As a rule, the larger the objective lens, the better the image. However, a larger lens also equals a heavier pair of binoculars. Also 80mm & above will need a good quality tripod to steady the view!
Individual Focusing (IF): When viewing the stars and other celestial objects, it is better to choose binoculars with IF. This allows you to focus each eye at a certain distance, which will allow you to get a better viewing experience.
Tripod: Using a tripod for stargazing is more important that daytime observation. As you gaze for a while you build up an appreciation of the object, may be the colour or dust clouds or rings. So a tripod helps as well taking the weight of larger binoculars.
Here at Grovers Optics, we have a wide range of binoculars that can suit all levels of stargazing and across all budgets. We have put together a list of our best recommendations, so you know that the product you choose is high-quality.
Barr & Stroud Sahara 10×50
Price: £115.00 – view more information
Celestron Skymaster 20×80
Price: £159.00 – view more information
Celestron Skymaster 15×70 Pro
Price: £199.00 – view more information
Helios LightQuest HR 16×80
Price: £549.00 – view more information
The new high-end Helios LIGHTQUEST-HR observation binoculars combine top features in mechanical and optical design, with outstanding performance to match!
They are nitrogen filled for clear fog-free operation, with individual eyepiece (IF) focusing that are designed for medium-to-long-range terrestrial and astronomical observations.
Like our other choices, these binoculars feature high-index prisms, along with a fully broadband multi-coated optical system and shockproof caged prisms. The high-resolution optical system features a high-transmission lens, and the prism coatings allow for a massive light throughput equal to or exceeding 90%. The lens coatings have an extremely low level of reflectivity, ensuring the maximum amount of precious light is provided at the eyepiece. Images delivered are vibrant, very flat edge-to-edge and virtually distortion free.
These binoculars are available at £549 with fast delivery.
Do you want to know more about our binocular range? All our binoculars can be found on our website https://groversoptics.com/ and if you have any questions, you can call in at our shop and speak to one of our friendly team, or simply pick up the telephone: 01609 898098 or email us at hello@grovers.biz.
