Binoculars are an amazing and reasonably priced tool for observing more of the Universe than Eyes-Only will allow. You do not need to go buy a pair of binoculars for astronomy if you already own a pair. Any pair will expand your horizons, but some are better than others. Astronomy binoculars have special coatings that let more light pass into your eyes. They are more expensive than binoculars you would use for bird-watching of to admire scenery, but they can also be used any time you want to use binoculars.
If you are thinking about buying binoculars for astronomy, and haven’t already checked out the guides: check this out.
But, you have binoculars and want to do astronomy with them.
There are Observing Programs that are aimed directly at binocular owners:
- Advanced Binocular Double Star Observing Program (Stars)
- Binocular Double Star Observing Program (Stars)
- Binocular Messier Observing Program (experience Messier’s list of Deep Space Objects)
- Binocular Variable Star Observing Program (Stars)
- Deep Sky Binocular Observing Program (more Deep Space Objects that Messier did not include)
- Earth Orbiting Satellite Observing Program (Satellites)
- Galileo Observing Program (relive Galileo’s discoveries)
- Southern Skies Binocular Observing Program (Deep Space Objects in the Southern Hemisphere)
Many other Observing Programs have levels that are Eyes-Only:
- Asterism Observing Program (Asterisms, similar to Constellations)
- Lunar Observing Program (the Moon)
- Solar Neighborhood Observing Program (Stars)
- Solar System Observing Program (Solar System)
- Stellar Evolution Observing Program (Stars)
The pinnacle achievement of Binocular Observing is the Binocular Master Observer Award.
Clear Skies and may you have many hours of rewarding observing.