Suppose you lower the magnification and increase the aperture beyond this limit. For instance, 10×50 and 7×35 binoculars both have an exit pupil of 50/10 = 35/7 = 5mm. To obtain the exit pupil of a binocular, divide the aperture number by the magnification. So, if you’re stargazing with your kids, you might want to consider purchasing a separate set of binoculars for your children. Children’s pupils dilate up to a diameter of 8mm at night, but this number is closer to 5mm for a middle-aged person. As you age, your pupils won’t dilate as much at night. Ideally, you want the size of the exit pupil to match the size of your pupils. This limit is determined by the so-called exit pupil, that bright spot at the end of the binoculars. There is, however, a limit to which you should favor low magnifications and large apertures. At night, the typical size of your pupils is around 5mm, which means that a 50mm aperture collects (50/5)^2 = 100 times more light. It collects light on a larger surface area, giving a brighter image with a better resolution. The aperture is essentially an extension of your eyes. On the other hand, a high magnification results in a darker image and a smaller field of view, both of which are undesirable side effects.
Stars, planets, and comet showers all appear point-like, no matter what magnification you choose. When selecting a binocular for stargazing, it is best to choose one with a low magnification and a large aperture. The first represents the magnification, the second the diameter of the aperture, measured in millimeters. Comprehending the Specsīinoculars are characterized by two numbers, for example, 7×35 or 10×50. So, let’s look at what makes the best binoculars.
When looking for binoculars, it is important to understand their specifications. Whether you’re an experienced amateur astronomer or you’re just looking for the smallest and cheapest tool to start your astronomical journey, binoculars will be an excellent addition to your astronomy tools collection. If you realize you don’t enjoy astronomy after all, you can still use them to go trekking or camping. They are relatively cheap, portable, and multifunctional. Keep reading to learn more about the essential astronomy tools you need to take your stargazing journey to the next level:īinoculars are an excellent first instrument to observe the night sky. Often, these mounts can cost as much as a large and high-quality telescope. We will not cover equipment needed for astrophotography, as long exposure photographs require a heavy and expensive automated mount, in addition to considerably more experience. This article will help you choose the best astronomy tools you need for visual observation. While a large and bulky Dobsonian telescope will probably not let you travel far from home, it will offer the most amazing views of Deep Sky Objects, such as galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae.
For instance, binoculars are portable and ideal for observing the Moon and meteor showers, and a small refractor will serve you well when it comes to planetary observations. There is a vast variety of astronomy tools and instruments available on the market today with a precision and quality like never before, so it’s an exciting time to get into astronomy.Īny serious amateur astronomer will tell you that there is no single perfect instrument but rather a collection of astronomy tools you build up over time, each with unique tradeoffs, qualities, and limitations. If you’re still enjoying the stargazing hobby and the world of astronomy after a month or two, it’s time to get yourself some astronomy tools! If you just started stargazing, take a few months to make yourself familiar with the constellations, the Moon, and the planets, observing the night sky with your unaided eyes only.