Beam me back, Astra!
ABOUT BINOCULARS
1996 Peach State Star Gaze
Indian Springs State Park
Jackson, Georgia
April 20, 1996
GENERAL NOTES
Beginners may do better starting out with a pair of binoculars instead of
a telescope.
Many astronomical objects can be observed with binoculars including the Moon,
Star Clusters, Planets and Comets!
When buying a pair of binoculars, consider the cost of the mounting as well,
especially if you plan on purchasing large binoculars that can not be easily
hand held.
If possible try to build your own mount!
FORMULA
Exit Pupil
Aperture ÷ Magnification 10 x 50 Binoculars = 50 ÷ 10 = 5 mm exit pupil
Light Grasp!
Diameter x 1.414 (Square root of 2) *
80 mm x 1.414 = 113.12
BOOKS
Astronomy with Binoculars, James Muirden, Arco Publishing, Inc., New York, 1984 - THE guidebook from my library, very good information and a great observing guide
Binocular Astronomy, Crossen and Tirion, Willman-Bell, U.S.A., 1992 - A great observing guide, I was disappointed with the lack of information on binocular mechanics, I want this in my library!
The Binocular Stargazer, Leslie C. Peltier, Kalmbach Publishing, Milwauke, WI, 1995 - This book was original published as Leslie Peltier’s Guide to the Stars
Exploring the Night Sky with Binoculars, David Chandler - I must recommend this one sight unseen. The price is right and Chandler’s other astronomical guides and aids are wonderful!
How to Choose Binoculars, Alan R. Hale, Not an observing guide, this book is filled with information on binoculars to help potential buyers
Patrick Moore’s Exploring the Night Sky with Binoculars, Cambridge Univ. Press, 1986 - A nice observing guide includes Southern hemisphere constellations, some information on binoculars
Star Gazing Through Binoculars, Stephen Mensing, Tab Books, U.S.A., 1986 - A good reference for binoculars and observing, perhaps my favorite of those used for this talk
Touring the Universe though Binoculars, Philip S. Harrington, Wiley Science Editions, U.S.A., 1990 - Primarily an observing guide, well-done by constellation
RECENT ARTICLES
A Binocular Star Hop in Orion, Sky and Telescope, Jan 1993, Philip Harrington, pg. 48
In Search of a Good Binocular Mount, Sky and Telescope, June 1993, Alan MacRobert, pg. 35
How I built a large, 20" binocular , Sky and Telescope, June 1993, pg. 89
The Power of Binoculars, Sky and Telescope, May 1995, Alan MacRobert, pg. 49
Make a Bino Mount, David Rogers, Astronomy Magazine, August 1995, pg. 71
Also see S & T’s monthly almanac for a binocular challenge from Phil Harrington!
Oh yeah! This htm is copyright © 1996 Dawn Jenkins, though I'm not sure why anyone would want to steal it!