Is Binoculars Useful For Observing Astronomical Events?

Sunday, September 13th, 2009 at 8:02 am

Absolutely Yes. No self respecting amateur astronomer would be without his binoculars. I have 10x50, which is a little higher magnification than the "standard" 7X50 recommended for astronomy, but some amateurs go for giant ones, like 15x100 and larger. Binoculars are very good for viewing comets, larger galaxies, nebulae and star clusters, especially from a really dark area. Many such objects are quite large, but dim. For example, without prescription drugs the famous Andromeda galaxy actually appears several times BIGGER than the Moon does, although it isn't nearly as bright. And binoculars are easily taken along in the car to those remote places where you have to go to see really dark skies.