Questions tagged [binoculars]
For questions about the observation of the sky through binoculars.
20
questions
5
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2answers
71 views
How to attach binoculars on starwatcher tracker?
I am a complete newbie on trying to figure out how to attach the binocular on the starwatcher tracker.
I am having problem with the angle. This is the issue I am having:
I align the skywatcher ...
0
votes
2answers
96 views
How close would a Sunlike star have to be in order to be dangerous to look at it through a spyglass?
Alpha Centauri A which has an about 50% higher luminosity than the Sun is obviously undangerous to look at through a handheld telescope, at about 4.4 ly distance. How close would a yellow dwarf have ...
3
votes
0answers
85 views
Precise meaning of collimation/alignment of a binocular
My question is about what exactly is meant by a binocular being collimated/aligned. I'm familiar with optics in general, but not with the nitty gritty of binocular design.
There are various resources ...
1
vote
1answer
153 views
Distance between objective lens and eyepiece
I am trying to make home telescope, I have a convex lens of focal length 1000mm and eyepiece (plano-convex) with 25mm focal length. What is the ideal distance between objective and eyepiece to see ...
2
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3answers
1k views
Which binocular should I buy to be able to see Saturn and its rings? [duplicate]
I am new to Astronomy and never had a binocular to look at the sky, I read somewhere that already with a 30x optical zoom should be possible to spot Saturn and see its rings, is that true?
I have a ...
16
votes
3answers
2k views
Why different specifications for telescopes and binoculars?
Sorry for the noob question but I don't seem to be able to find the answer on the internet.
I've been looking through some telescopes and binoculars and noticed that shops typically give different ...
8
votes
7answers
9k views
How do I prevent or reduce shake when observing with binoculars?
I have some 16 x 50 binoculars that my parents bought me years ago. Recently I have tried to do some basic lunar and planetary observations with them but I am seriously struggling with shaking. This ...
0
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1answer
1k views
How do you mount these binoculars and telescope on this tripod?
Have this telescope and tripod that is missing the 'tripod head platform' to mount to a binoculars or telescope. Can I buy it somewhere? [Photos attached]
I would like to connect the tripod to the ...
2
votes
0answers
34 views
Equipment question
I'm looking to get some optical equipment that will be used for both terrestrial and astronomical viewing (ratio 70/30). It will also have to be portable to a degree although I realise that with a ...
6
votes
1answer
721 views
What's a good step up from 7x50 binoculars?
I own a Nikon OceanPro 7x50 pair of binoculars, but I find that when I look at the moon, I would like more magnification.
My requirements are:
costs less than $400
weighs less than 10kg
the length ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
What should I look for in an astronomy tripod?
I have a Celstron SkyMaster 20x80 binoculars, and a tripod — Vanguard 263AT with a SBH-100 head.
The binoculars weighs 2.2kg, while the head is rated to a loading capacity of 10kg, and the legs to a ...
1
vote
1answer
361 views
What solar features would I see at 10x magnification?
I have a pair of binoculars with 10x magnification, 50mm objective diameter, and 6.5 degree (real) angular field of view.
I'm looking into buying solar filters for it (something like these) so I can ...
6
votes
3answers
337 views
Good textbooks for a descriptive astronomy course
Brief tale of woe
My department at a small public university in the US has decided to begin offering a descriptive astronomy general education course for the first time in a couple of decades and we ...
2
votes
0answers
50 views
Telescope optical tolerance from central axis
I sometimes encounter telescopes/binoculars with a decent objective diameter but are very difficult to use because they only work when the eye is looking down the central axis (i.e. in the centre of ...
5
votes
2answers
338 views
What are some night sky objects I could see with my Celestron UpClose 20x50 Porro Binocular?
I bought this binocular because I've read countless times that one should start with a pair of binoculars before diving into telescopes. I've seen details of the moon and I can notice Venus round ...
4
votes
2answers
315 views
What Are Some Good Southern Hemisphere 7x50 Binocular Targets?
I've been interested in astronomy for a while but only recently purchased my first set of binoculars (7x50). I've been learning various constellations as well as spotting some other objects with the ...
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vote
0answers
128 views
Why some stars appear to move differently when viewing device shakes
I was looking at Arcturus with a pair of binoculars, and noticed that when they vibrate due to my heartbeat, Arcturus seemed to move differently than the other dimmer stars.
I started playing with ...
6
votes
2answers
495 views
What range of exit pupils work for observing the full moon?
I'm observing the full moon, from a major city, with heavy light pollution and dust.
The objective size is fixed, for this comparison, something between 4 and 6 inches. The question is about the ...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
What to look for in a tripod for binoculars?
I have been looking at large astronomy binoculars in the 25x100 and 20x80 range. Clearly, these monsters cannot be held steady by hand, or even be held at all for any reasonable length of time using ...
3
votes
1answer
6k views
Is a spotting scope or binoculars a better choice for astronomy?
I'm interested in observing the moon and planets, and maybe some nebulae and star clusters.
I have a pair of binoculars:
Nikon OceanPro 7x50 binoculars (around \$300)
Celestron 20x80 binoculars (...
