Without having to leave the earth, the best binoculars for astronomy enable you to take a spacewalk from the comfort of a reposing lounge chair on a clear dark night.
How is this possible?
Simply view the sky through their lenses. To get the best experience, however, you have to ensure you use a binocular that fits the bill in every way.
There are numerous features and binocular models to consider. Therefore, the list has been narrowed down in this article to enable you to choose from the very best astro binoculars.
Top 10 Best Astronomy Binoculars 2018
| Model Name | Size | Dimensions (inches) | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orion Resolux WP | 15x70mm | 14 x 11.6 x 6.7 | 5.51 lbs | |
| Barska WP Cosmos | 25x100mm | 15.5 x 10.8 x 4.2 | 8.13 lbs | |
| Celestron Echelon | 20x70mm | 3.31 x 10.15 x 8.74 | 4.12 lbs | |
| Celestron SkyMaster Pro | 15x70mm | 11.3 x 7.5 x 14.5 | 6.2 lbs | |
| Celestron SkyMaster ASTRO | 25x100mm | 18.2 x 11.6 x 6.7 | 8.75 lbs | |
| Celestron SkyMaster | 25x70mm | 11 x 14 x 6 | 3.25 lbs | |
| Orion Giant View | 25x100mm | 24.4 x 15.3 x 10 | 10.1 lbs | |
| Gosky Titan | 20x80mm | 7.5 x 16.5 x 12.2 | 5 lbs | |
| Olympus Trooper DPS I | 10x50mm | 7 x 7.5 x 2.5 | 1.88 lbs | |
| Orion E-Series WP | 10x50mm | 6.8 x 7.8 x 2.5 | 2.2 lbs |
Which Magnification is better for Astronomy Binoculars?
With a good binoculars 10×50, the starry sky can be well observed. The 10x magnification is enough to get a good overview of the starry sky and to locate constellations. The 50 mm lens diameter allows enough light to have an optimal image even at night. A pair of binoculars with the values 10×50 is great for astronomy.
Who would like to enjoy deeper glances in the starry sky, should set to a larger magnification. Here, for example, 15x, 20x or even 25x fold magnification, with an objective diameter of up to 50mm or 80 mm are considered to be ideal binoculars for astronomy.
The disadvantage of these models, however, is the greater weight and a tripod is usually no longer around at such magnifications. Good tripods, however, are already available for around $20.
Alternatively, opt for a pair of binoculars with image stabilizer. For astronomy binoculars you should follow:
- At least a 10x magnification.
- At least one objective diameter of 50 mm.
- For models with 15-30x magnification or more, a tripod should be used.
Can you see planets with astronomy binoculars?
First of all, we need to state that with binoculars for astronomy, you can observe detailed details on planets, such as with a good telescope.
However, you can observe stars, even entire star clusters, as well as fog or even galaxies, are easy to spot. For such a sight, a purchase undoubtedly worthwhile!
By and large, the great binoculars for astronomy will make it so much easier for you to view most of the planets in our solar system such as Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars and the rest.
Astronomy Binoculars vs Telescope
The biggest benefit of the Astro binoculars over telescope is clearly the handiness. Telescopes are usually very heavy, less compact and more difficult to stow.
It is different with a pair of binoculars, which can quickly be stowed in the bag, so you do not have all the luggage full if you want to travel.
Another advantage is that you usually do not need a whole set of equipment to observe and start monitoring right away.
Astronomy binoculars with relatively small magnifications such as 10x can also be used well for observations in nature, without having to use a tripod.
If you have a steady hand, you can do without a tripod even with larger magnifications. It is not limited to astronomy.
Reviews of Best Binoculars for Astronomy 2018
1. Barska Waterproof Cosmos Binoculars 25×100 – best terrestrial binoculars.
The Barska 25×100 Cosmos binocular is referred to as the best terrestrial binocular for a reason. Such that if you really want to experience sights that are out of this world and also enthrall yourself by taking cognizance of the enormity of the universe and the world around you, a binocular of thrilling capacity is what you need like Barska 25×100 Cosmos.
The 25×100 cosmos is designed majorly for both astronomical viewings as well as long-distance terrestrial observations at low light scenarios.
This is not surprising given its features of high powered magnification capacity in the super-large objective lenses in addition to the premium optics. Such features place the Cosmos with great qualities of precision and strength is why it is referred o as the best terrestrial binoculars.
The Barska 25×100 features an aluminum body to reduce weight and also a fantastic tripod mounting post. It is fully fog proof and waterproof as well, ensuring long-term durability. The Cosmos also backed by Barska’s limited lifetime warranty.
- High power magnification
- Complete waterproof and fog proof.
- Superb qualities of strength and precision.
- Very comfortable on the hands.
- They’re quite pricey.
2. Celestron 15×70 SkyMaster Pro Binoculars for Astronomy – best binoculars for stargazing.
Celestron is well-known for producing great binoculars for astronomy at very reasonable prices. The SkyMaster 15 × 70 which is sold for around 80$ yet it is probably the best binoculars for stargazing and the most popular in the SkyMaster series.
These binoculars are well thought-out an optimal and fair one for all who want to deal with the sky and star observation, without having to spend a lot of money.
The Skymaster astronomy binoculars offer optimal light intensity. Thanks to the large lens diameter of 70 mm, the binoculars can be used during the daytime and as well in the dark. With this lens diameter value and the 15x magnification, you have optimal values to star in the star observation show.
An advantage of this binoculars compared to other binoculars for astronomy is the relatively low weight of 1.36kg, which in other models can easily be 2kg. In addition, a large field of view of 77m to 1000m is achieved, which is an absolutely good value at this magnification.
The binoculars can, of course, be used without a tripod (as long as you have a steady hand), so even nature observations are not a problem. In the long term, it is simply best binoculars for stargazing and it is more pleasant to use a tripod because it ensures a wobble-free image and watching is much easier.
A matching tripod adapter is included in the delivery. The focus is served by the center drive, which is very easy to use. However, it is also impressive that the Skymaster 15×70 has good color fidelity, which is usually not the case with cheap binoculars.
Celestron astronomy binoculars are a great alternative and in fact excellent binoculars for astronomy. Anyone who wants to save money and demands the best possible quality without being disappointed is exactly right with this model. To use the full potential, you might want to purchase a tripod to make watching more enjoyable in the long run.
- Tripod mountable.
- Very light weighed, thus comfortable on the hands.
- Excellent day and night viewing quality.
- Holding this binocular steady for long periods with the hands is difficult. The obvious reason is the large objectives.
3. Celestron SkyMaster 25×100 ASTRO Binoculars – best binoculars for sky watching.
This astronomy binocular from Celestron also comes from the SkyMaster series. In particular, the large lens diameter of 100 mm, which together with a fabulous 25x magnification makes it the best binoculars for sky watching and as well ensures an optimal observation on the star sky. It is also remarkable that the binoculars have a larger objective diameter than some smaller telescopes.
Astronomy binoculars clearly reach their full potential with a tripod, since the weight of a proud 4000g can hardly be kept under observation for their own benefit. Suitable tripods can be found on Amazon already about 15 to 20, you should just make sure that the tripod can also hold the weight. The built-in tripod adapter is located on the center drive and of course, fits on all standard tripods.
The SkyMaster 25 × 100 has to withstand a lot of weight, so the metal bar in the middle with the tripod adapter also serves as reinforcement. In addition, the case was again reinforced and made waterproof. In addition to the strap, the accessory also includes a practical nylon bag. The bag is very sturdy to withstand the heavy weight and can even be used as a backpack.
The binoculars are interesting for anyone who wants to see even deeper insights into the starry sky, and hence it is considered the best binoculars for sky watching. The binocular is not very handy and a tripod is absolutely necessary to be able to observe optimally, but the investment is also clearly worth it!
- Waterproof
- Tripod mountable.
- Ideal for eyeglass wearers.
- High performance at affordable
- It’s very heavy on the hands.
4. Celestron SkyMaster 25×70 Binoculars – Best binoculars for planet viewing.
The Skymaster by Celestron with a proud 15x magnification and a 70 mm front lens diameter is a popular model among Astro binoculars and the best for binoculars for planet viewing. Compared to the 15×70 model, this binocular has a higher magnification with the same aperture. This allows for a deeper look into the night sky, even at higher magnification.
Thanks to its 70 mm front lens diameter, astronomical binoculars collect almost twice as much light as binoculars with a 50 mm objective diameter. So it is possible that a lot of light is captured to get an optimal picture quality. The whole thing is supported by high-quality BAK-4 prisms and a multi-layer coating of the lenses.
The Celestron skymaster 25×70 binoculars weigh almost 1500g and have a very high magnification, so you should grab here to a tripod to get the full potential out of this binoculars and make watching even more enjoyable. A tripod adapter is already included, just like a nylon bag for transport, strap and dust cover.
One would think that this would be just the mediocrity of the two binoculars that were previously presented. If you like deep insights into the night sky, you will definitely be interested in this model. Celestron again provides the great Astro binoculars with the watching just fun.
- Optimal quality images especially when exploring the night sky.
- Its tripod mountable.
- Very affordable.
- It’s very easy to focus.
- Just as you’d expect, these are really bulky too.
5. Orion Giant View 25×100 Astronomy Binoculars – best binoculars for space viewing.
The Orion giant View binoculars are considered to be the best binoculars for space viewing. This device offers an awesome light-gathering ability for space viewing.
It allows viewing objects in the space with exceptional contrast like no other. This pair of binoculars has a wide field of view, long-range distance, and an exceptional resolution. Its quality BAk4 prism and the well-designed internal baffling offers a sharp and attractive image view.
The barrels are reinforced with aluminum rod and an objective cell cuffs to provide maximum structural rigidity. It also features 25x magnification, 100mm objective lens, and a fully multicoated optics. Because of its high magnification and size, it is recommended to use a tripod for conveniences.
This binocular is friendly to eyeglass wearers because of the eye relief it offers. It also comes with a heavy-duty briefcase for easy transport and storage.
- Higher magnification.
- Wide field of view.
- Friendly to eyeglass wearers.
- come with a hard case for easy transport and storage.
- Fully constructed with high-quality materials.
- It always requires the use of a tripod due to its enormous size.
6. Gosky Titan 20×80 Astronomy Binoculars – best 20×80 binoculars for astronomy.
If you seek the best Astro binoculars, then look no further. The Gosky Giant 20×80 is second to none, don’t mind its position on the list.
This pair of binocular offers high-resolution images coupled with fully multicoated optics. This gives a more natural, brighter and a clearer view as a result of the highly reduced loss of light from reflection.
The Gosky Giant binoculars feature the BAK4 glass prism that guarantees higher brightness over other binoculars of its class. It is also equipped with a rugged and durable armor that can withstand all type of weather conditions.
The 80mm objective lens, 20x magnification, and the wide field of view give it a more natural, brighter and a clearer optical view.
These set of binoculars are the best for all form of outdoor activities like viewing wildlife, hiking, sports event, bird-watching, and even stargazing to mention but a few.
- gives a clearer and brighter optical views
- can be used for all form of outdoor activities
- It comfortably withstands even the toughest weather conditions.
- Comes with a briefcase for storage and easy transport.
- It’s a giant just as the name implies. Freehand use is hardly possible.
7. Olympus Trooper 10×50 DPS I Binocular – best 10×50 binoculars for astronomy.
The Olympus 10×50 binoculars produce sharp, bright and razor-dimensional optics of excellent quality. The 65° angle of view offers a panoramic and a linear field of view of about 345 feet. The Olympus is fit for use for both low-light (dusk, night or dawn) and daylight viewings.
This binocular features the BAK7 lens systems, 10x optical power, rugged and high-quality rubber coating, 5mm exit pupil, and Porro prism design.
These features allow the 10×50 to produce images with excellent sharpness, improved brightness, and clarity. If you need the best binoculars for astronomy then I suggest you consider the Olympus Trooper 10×50 DPS.
This excellent pair of binocular is perfectly designed to protect your eyes against the UV radiation. The trooper 10×50 DPS is a great Astro binocular and it can be used for other outdoor activities such as bird-watching, watching sport events and even for hiking.
- Produces sharp and an efficient 3D images.
- It’s well adapted for both daylight and low-light viewing.
- Very efficient for viewing fast moving objects.
- UV Ray Protection.
- High-quality images
- Few complaints about blurriness at the edges of the field of vision.
8. Orion 10×50 E-Series Waterproof Astronomy Binoculars – best celestial binoculars.
The great Orion 10×50 is the best celestial binoculars featuring 10x magnification and a 50mm objective lens together giving wonderful views both during daytime and at night.
The BAK4 Porro prism, 19mm eye relief, and the multi-coated optics deliver bright, clearer and comfortable views. The Orion 10×50 binocular gives a spectacular view and you don’t need to worry about the rain or snow or damp weather conditions as it is fully fog proof and as well waterproofed.
The10x50 binocular offers an amazing view of star clusters, comets, the moon and more Space views. One outstanding feature of the Orion 10×50 binocular is, it is perfectly designed and suitable for use in daylight and at night.
If you want the best celestial binoculars, then Orion 10×50 binocular is the best option for you. At 10x magnification, this binocular gives a better image view than the typical 8×42 or 7×50 binoculars of its kind.
It can be comfortably used with hands for daytime use or stargazing, it can as well be attached to a tripod for better stability. It is recommended you try this set of binoculars as you are assured to have a perfect space view.
- It is both fog and waterproof.
- Produce high-quality images.
- It can be used for daylight and low-light viewing.
- Fully constructed with 100% quality materials.
- Very easy and comfortable to use.
- Not very good for viewing fast moving objects.
Astronomy Binoculars Buying Guide
What to look for when choosing the best Astro binoculars to meet your night sky needs. Below are some fundamental things to look at when choosing between binoculars:
The angle of View/Field of View.
The field of view determines the width of your image. Therefore, for astronomers, it denotes the portion of sky you can cover when you target your binoculars at the stars. You should note! The wider the angle/field of view, the more sky you can capture.
Usually, powerful binoculars with high magnification tend to have a slender field of view and vice versa. A great Astro binoculars though will possess both a wide field of view and a good magnification.
Proper Magnification for Astronomical Binoculars.
Obviously, considering the fact that the stars, the moon, and galaxies are very far away, your choice of binoculars for astronomy might have to be those with higher magnification. Nevertheless, higher magnification also means an unstable image since every slight hand movement is also magnified 10x, 15x, or even 20x times.
Hence, to avoid such, you will have to either buy lower magnification binoculars (like 10x) or you get a tripod and use them on.
Objective Lens Size
This is the most significant feature of best binoculars for astronomy, together with magnification. The larger the lens, the more light that gets in thus, the brighter your image will be. Binoculars for astronomy should be at minimum 50mm to 70mm and above. Very common in astronomy are binoculars with larger lenses of 50mm to 100mm, mainly because they can amass more light.
Are they waterproof?
Remember that it is on a water planet that we live in. Sometimes water condenses on your binoculars. At times you accidentally drop them overboard or it rains. Hence, to consider waterproof binoculars may be of concern depending on where, how and when, where you plan to use them.
Conclusion
In this reviews the major points to consider when trying to find the ideal binocular for astronomy have all been discussed.
Everything but your choice is what’s left out. Regardless of how you explore it whether by the unaided eye, binoculars or telescopes; the night sky is a truly extraordinary place though we highly recommend you use a binocular.
With all that’s been said, all you need to do is hope for clear night skies to explore with the best binoculars for astronomy.
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