Using Binoculars for Stargazing

You do not need a fancy telescope to see amazing things in space. A pair of binoculars can show you craters on the Moon, the moons of Jupiter, and star clusters. Binoculars are easy to carry and simple to use. Many astronomers say binoculars are the best tool for beginners.

What You Can See

With binoculars, the Moon looks incredible. You can see mountains and craters on its surface. You can also spot Jupiter's four biggest moons as tiny dots. Star clusters like the Pleiades look beautiful through binoculars. You might even see the fuzzy glow of a nebula or a distant galaxy.

Tips for Using Binoculars

Hold your binoculars steady by resting your elbows on something. Shaky hands make it hard to see. Start by looking at the Moon because it is easy to find. Then try finding bright planets and star clusters. A pair of 7x50 or 10x50 binoculars works best for stargazing.

Fun Facts

• Binoculars let you see about 10 times more stars than your eyes alone.
• Galileo's first telescope was actually weaker than many binoculars today.
• You can see the Andromeda Galaxy, which is 2.5 million light-years away, with ordinary binoculars.

Did You Know?

The numbers on binoculars, like 10x50, tell you how much they magnify and how wide the lenses are. Bigger lenses gather more light and show fainter objects.