A good pair of binoculars for astronomy gives you grab-and-go convenience on nights when you don’t have much time to observe. Binoculars give you an expansive view of the sky, let you see in “3D” with both eyes, and cost far less than a telescope. Even a modest pair lets you see as many as 100,000 stars, hundreds of star clusters and nebula, supernovae remnants, and dozens of galaxies. Here are some basics of understanding and choosing binoculars for astronomy.
Apochromatic Refractor Telescopes
An apochromatic refractor uses an objective lens of extra-low dispersion glass that gives remarkably crisp images without chromatic aberration. Many consider an “apo” to be the ultimate telescope for photography and planetary observing. Said one amateur astronomer, “The sight of Saturn through a good apochromat is enough to make a grown man weep”.
Refracting Telescopes
A refracting telescope is the type of telescope most people recognize. It was the first type of telescope invented, and Galileo was the first to turn such a telescope to the night sky back in 1609. Refractors collect light with a large glass objective lens at the top of the tube. The lens focuses the light at the bottom of the tube where the image is magnified by an eyepiece.
Dark Adaptation: “Looking” Your Best
To best see faint deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae, you have to make sure your eyes are have been conditioned with proper dark adaptation. Here’s what you need to know.
Averted Vision
Averted vision exposes the most sensitive part of your eye and lets you see much fainter objects. If you’ve never tried this before, you’ll be amazed at how much more you can see, with or without a telescope. It takes a little practice, but averted vision is an essential skill for all stargazers.
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