I do not know a single astronomy hobbyist who does not own a decent pair of binoculars. Unlike my telescopes, my binoculars never miss a stargazing session. You may have the greatest set of titanium sockets in the shop, but every once in a while, nothing does the job like a crescent wrench.
Binoculars, essentially two telescopes mounted together, have always been vastly under-rated as an astronomical instrument. Galileo would have killed for the lowliest set of binoculars on your shelf.
Although telescopes certainly expand your options infinitely, you can go for years without exhausting the list of night sky objects viewable with binoculars: the Moon becomes three dimensional complete with mountains and seas, planets show crescents and orbiting moons, and star clusters and a few Milky Way gas clouds are within reach. Comet Catalina, currently just to the left of the Big Dipper’s handle, pops into view. In the day time, you can check out that new bird at the feeder or get closer to the play from your seat at Taylor Field.
Binoculars are pretty much ready right out of the box, while the learning curve on beginners’ telescopes can ruin the hobby before it starts. Unless you, or especially a young family member, are absolutely certain this will be a long term interest, binoculars are the way to start. Come to think of it, they are the way to start regardless.
If shopping for a pair, I would suggest those marked 7x50 or 10x50; the first number is the magnification, and the second is the diameter of the lens at the end in millimetres. Lighter weight 7x35s are better for pre-teens; anything bigger than 10x50s need a tripod or lots of experience. Note that 50mm binoculars will potentially gather twice as much light as a 35mm pair, so, all things being considered, this is usually preferable. One final thing: binoculars that zoom are seldom of comparable image quality to those that don’t, so avoid them.
The hardest thing about using binoculars at night is holding them steady enough to concentrate on what you’re trying to see (recline in a chair or lean against something, grip them at the end, near the lenses, and brace your elbows against your chest). Although this takes a little practise, there’s nothing else to learn; they just work.
Find yourself a good pair of binoculars and you will have a friend for life, one that makes the universe infinitely more accessible from your own back yard.
