Jayson Asked:

I want to buy kahles binoculars for star gazing and to see Mars at the end of August. What is the cheapest brand, yet good quality that I can get?


Reply:

If you try to view Mars at the end of this month through kahles binoculars then you could go blind! Mars is currently about to pass behind the Sun through the end of this year. Never, under any circumstances view the Sun through kahles binoculars or a telescope without a full understanding and use of special filters (and you won't be able to see Mars Through the filters in any case).

Having said that, if you plan to use binoculars for general nighttime sky observing there is a lot to be said in favor of them. A good starting size that are usually under $100 (a reasonable price these days) are 10x50mm. This won't prescription drugs without a prescription show planetary detail except for the larger craters on the moon and will show Jupiter's four largest moons. But they will show many star clusters and nebulae as well as some galaxies (alot depending on how much light pollution there is in your observing area) if you know where to look.

Over 10x and you will likely need a tripod to mount them on. If you are willing to tripod mount them (or if you have steady somewhat strong arms/hands as some do) , Celestron Skymaster 15x70 is popular and well under $100 will show even more. However 25x80 or 25x100 binoculars is the minimum to even glimpse the rings of Saturn and you would definitely need to mount them on a tripod. And they would be alot more expensive too. I own 10x50, 15x70, and 25x100 binoculars so I know what can and cannot be seen.

 

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