Stargazing with Binoculars

Philip's Astronomy

by Robin Scagell, David Frydman

Philip's Stargazing with Binoculars, fully revised and updated for this new edition, is a practical guide describing the wide range of objects that anyone can observe in the night sky using normal binoculars. It gives clear, step-by-step instructions for finding objects, and explains what you can expect to see from both northern and southern hemispheres. It also offers useful advice about choosing and using mounts and other accessories. Binoculars provide a great start in astronomy. Compared with telescopes, they are comparatively cheap and easy to use, they are light and compact, and can be used for many other activities such as birdwatching. But when you are out there on a starry night, how do you know what to look at? Where are the best objects to observe through binoculars? Just how much can you see, and what are the tips and tricks for getting the most out of them? Philip's Stargazing with Binoculars reveals what to expect from a pair of binoculars and how to choose the right ones if you are buying for the first time, or upgrading. It gives straightforward explanations of how they work, and how to progress from first-time user to hobby observer. It gives practical help for setting up and using any binoculars, and provides examples of objects to look at with different sizes of binoculars, from both town and country, including the Sun, Moon, planets, comets, asteroids, stars, clusters, variable stars, double stars, novae, nebulae and galaxies. Aimed principally at newcomers to astronomy of all ages, who would like to begin observing for themselves, and perhaps make contact with other amateur observers, Philip's Stargazing with Binoculars describes a wide range of binoculars that are internationally available, with examples of objects to observe taken from both northern and southern

Genres: Astronomy, Science, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2007

Reviews

[Milan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic guide for amateur stargazers using binoculars. Includes basic map of constellations and useful tips about how to select the best binoculars for specific needs. Ideal for all my needs.

[Harith Siddhartha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The monthly star charts are very helpful. This books is a very basic giude. Perfect for beginners.

[Laurie]

page 50

[Aprilleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every astronomer should have a decent pair of binoculars, and Chapter 5 of this book should be required reading before you purchase your first pair. Many astronomy books aimed at newcomers to the hobby address using binoculars, but binocular-specific books will have the best coverage of the options available and what you should take into consideration. Other than the two chapters specific to the selection and use of binoculars, the contents of this book are pretty typical. If you don’t have a telescope you should definitely pick up this awesome little book because the coverage is perfect. However, if you have both a binocular and a telescope, you’ll probably be better served by a less focused book.

[Wendy wendigo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like it but it was wasn’t about deepspace

[Tacitus · Rating 4 out of 5]

As typical for guides like this, I've been reading this off and on in pieces depending on my interest, time, and need. Given spring clouds and COVID-19 quarantines, I've had more time to read about astronomy than actually doing it.

I found this to be one of the better guides I've picked up from the library, and probably the best of the Firefly guides I've seen so far. Basically, that's because it's brief and focused on practical matters: what to look for, and how to choose binoculars.

I had already owned a pair of binoculars before I got this, but I think that section will be useful for many newcomers. At first glance, the idea of astronomy with binoculars (vs a telescope) may seem limited. However, most guides and tips for beginners actually suggest starting with binoculars before getting a telescope; in fact, depending on your level of interest and commitment, you may not ever need a telescope. You can also use binoculars for other activities (sporting events or wildlife observation, for example), and this book will help you weigh the pros and cons of different types depending on your needs.

But the book isn't just about how to buy binoculars. Indeed, once you've bought your binoculars, what good would a book like this be? Fortunately, as a guide, it offers more than that.

The centerpiece, in terms of enduring content for stargazers, are the monthly guides to the night sky. The maps and inset pictures of stars and constellations were easy to read. I started with Orion in January, for example. Scagell picks out a few other objects in each month, mainly those observable with binoculars. This is a shorter and more focused (and therefore maybe more easier-to-follow) walk-through than Scagell provides in his larger, longer Complete Guide to Stargazing.

Beyond that, the book contains obligatory, science-y sections on the solar system and a glossary. Wherever I turn, I find some tip or section I overlooked the first time. For example, Scagell provides some suggestions on things like sketching and binocular mounts, which I personally found helpful.

At the same time, I continue to be mystified by the apparent absence of anything related to integrating smartphones into this hobby. I've found some useful star charts apps, and given that most people will bring smartphones and other mobile devices into the hobby (and not optics), it seems like a good bridge to connect people to astronomy.

No doubt Scagell will one day write a book on astronomy from that angle. Until then, this book provides a useful introduction for a beginner looking to make a low-cost investment in astronomy, and to learn how to start observing.

[Jamey Crook · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Technically I read the Firefly 2014 edition)

I found this more accessible, useful and enjoyable than the Urban Stargazing book. This one was also questionably structured and certainly more useful as a reference manual than any kind of teaching text to work straight through.

Still, sections on specific times of year and what the binocular showpieces are in the sky at that time, and the explanation of binoculars functions, components etc. were quite good.

Also, they slipped in a clever Star Trek joke or two, which lightened the reading experience. Nice.