The image that comes to people’s minds when they think about stargazing is a huge telescope that is pointed at the sky. What if we told you that you don’t need a giant telescope to get a unique viewing experience of the stars? Binoculars are a stargazer’s best friend!
They make it possible for everyone to find celestial objects without having to carry bulky equipment with them.
There are hundreds of astronomy binoculars on the market, and picking the best one can be tricky if you are not a seasoned stargazer. Here is where we come in. Today we are going to review the top five best astronomy binoculars available on Amazon.
We are also going to present a buying guide and answer the internet’s most asked questions about astronomy binoculars. Without any further ado, let’s jump right into it.
Best Astronomy Binocular of 2020
Orion 9546 Resolux 15×70 Waterproof Astronomy Binoculars
We are kicking off the list with a 5-star rated product that has an impressive 4.4-degree field of view. Thanks to the excellent field of view, you can be sure that the Orion 9456 Resolux will help you discover all the celestial wonders that surround our planet.
This is a high-quality product, and therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to find out that it uses a rugged housing that is built to last for years. To make things even more impressive, the premium Orion 9456 Resolux is fully water-proof, and it uses a nitrogen construction to prevent lens fogging.
The premium build is certainly impressive, but it is not the best feature that the astronomy binoculars have to offer. What makes them stand out is the high-quality BAK-4 prisms that are paired with multi-coatings on all optical surfaces so that they can provide a rich light throughput.
We also want to highlight the fact that the product ships with a free tripod adapter that can be used to improve the stability of the binoculars.
This is a nice feature to have if you enjoy stargazing because otherwise, the binoculars will start feeling heavy after a while.
Pros:
- Premium quality build;
- High resolution;
- Water-proof;
- Rugged housing (durable);
- Nitrogen construction to prevent lens fogging;
- BAK-4 Prisms;
- Free tripod adapter.
Cons:
- The price is high.
Celestron 20×80 SkyMaster Pro
If you are looking for a product that does a fantastic job of zooming in on both celestial and terrestrial objects, then you can’t go wrong with the Celestron 20×80 SkyMaster Pro. The product ships with massive 80mm objective lenses that excel at gathering light.
This is an essential feature for stargazing because the 80mm objective lenses can spot anything, even in low light conditions where other astronomy binoculars might fail.
If you want to take things to the next level when it comes to spotting objects, then you should be pleased to know that the Celestron 20×8 SkyMaster Pro is equipped with a detachable RSR rail that can be used to attach a red dot finderscope.
Celestron is a leader in the industry, and the trademark feature that it equips on all its products is called XLT technology. The patented technology is used to multi-coat the lenses of astronomy binoculars in order to enhance the quality of the image.
You will always get a sharp and crisp image when using the Celestron 20×80 SkyMaster Pro, even if you are looking at the night sky. Since we mentioned the night sky, it is worth noting that this product is equipped with 4mm exit pupils.
Therefore, you will get 18mm eye relief that enhances the lighting in the image and protects your eyes at the same time.
Pros:
- Massive 80mm objective lenses;
- It works great in low light conditions;
- Detachable RSR rail;
- XLT technology for crisp image quality;
- 4mm exit pupils for eye protection;
- The eyecups are interchangeable (can also be folded).
Cons:
- The size of the Celestron 20×8 SkyMaster Pro is bulky.
Nikon 8252 ACULON A211 10-22×50 Zoom Binocular
Nikon has established its brand as a household name by constantly launching high-quality products that deliver amazing performances. The same can be said about the Nikon 8252 ACULON A211 astronomy binoculars that are equipped with multi-coated eco-glass lenses.
What makes this product special is the ACULON A211 unique zoom feature that gives users access to a wide range of magnifications. Therefore, these astronomy binoculars are perfect for any situation.
You can adjust the magnifications to enhance image brightness, focus on small objects, or see stars in even in low light conditions. The binoculars are equipped with a smooth central knob that makes it super-fast and easy to change the range of focus.
Just like the cameras that Nikon manufacturers, the Nikon 8252 ACULON A211 features a durable rubber-armored coating. According to the manufacturer, the astronomy binoculars are built to handle any environment that you decide to use them in.
Whether you are hiking snowy mountain peaks or exploring the wild jungle, the Nikon binoculars are always ready for the job.
No matter the weather condition, the non-slip grip of the binoculars keeps them safe. You can also turn and slide the rubber eyecups to find the perfect position that makes you feel comfortable so that you can extend your viewing periods for hours on end.
Pros:
- Reputable brand (excellent customer support);
- Premium quality build;
- Unique zoom feature with multi-coated eco-glass lenses;
- Adjustable range of magnifications;
- Smooth central knob;
- The eyecups can be adjusted to find the most comfortable position;
- Non-slip grip.
Cons:
- The binoculars don’t ship with a tripod adapter.
Gosky Titan 20×80 Astronomy Binoculars
If you are looking for binoculars that are specially designed for sightseeing and stargazing, then you don’t need to look any further than the Gosky Titan 20×80 Astronomy Binoculars. These binoculars are equipped with fully multi-coated optics that provide high-resolution images to help you admire the beauty of the night sky.
Thanks to the multi-coated optics, the loss of light due to reflection is minimized so that the binoculars always offer a more natural view. The Gosky Titan binoculars use BAK-4 prism glass that excels at stargazing, but this is not the only area that they are great in.
The BAK-4 prism glass is the perfect choice for all outdoor activities, including hiking, bird-watching, and even sports events.
These astronomy binoculars are so powerful that you can even see the moons of Jupiter! If that isn’t impressive enough, then you should use the 20x magnification power to check out the craters and mountains of the Moon. You will be blown away by the image quality that the Gosky Titan binoculars offer.
Another important thing that we want to highlight is that this premium product is bundled with a free tripod L-adapter for mounted viewing. This is a “must-have” feature if you are planning extended stargazing sessions.
Pros:
- Fully multi-coated optics;
- High-resolution images;
- Minimized light reflection;
- BAK-4 prism glass;
- 20x magnification power;
- Free tripod L-adapter;
- Durable aluminum polycarbonate framework and rubber armor.
Cons:
- The binoculars are not water-resistant;
- The eyecups are not adjustable.
Orion 15×70 Astronomy Binoculars
We are going to end our list with a product that is mid-budged focused. Despite being equipped with an affordable price tag, the Orion 15×70 Astronomy Binoculars still ship with impressive features that make them ideal for stargazing.
These are 15 power astronomy binoculars that feature massive 70mm lenses to help you have a clear view of the cosmos, even in low light conditions. Since the product excels at stargazing, then it shouldn’t come as a shock to find out that the binoculars are bundled with premium BAK-4 Porro prisms.
Furthermore, the Porro prisms are fully multi-coated to provide crisp views.
If there is one thing that you can be sure when it comes to the Orion 15×70 Astronomy Binoculars, then it has to be the fact that they will help you get a closer view of the Moon’s crater than you have ever seen.
The 18mm eye relief makes it possible for you to use the binoculars for extended sessions without having to remove corrective lenses. Moreover, the manufacturers are pairing the astronomy binoculars with a free tripod L-adapter for mounted viewing.
Pros:
- Great price;
- 15 power astronomy binoculars;
- Massive 70mm lenses;
- BAK-4 Porro prisms;
- Fully multi-coated optics;
- 18mm eye relief for extended sessions;
- Free tripod L-adapter for mounted viewing.
Cons:
- The tripod needs to be purchased separately.
Astronomy Binoculars Buying Guide
Finding the right pair of astronomy binoculars might seem like a daunting task. However, this is not the case if you know what to look for. Check out our astronomy buying guide below:
The Magnification Power
We are going to start with the most critical feature for astronomy binoculars, the magnification power. The power is highlighted by a number ending with “x”. Since you are interested in stargazing, then picking a high magnification power should be your highest priority. Generally, a decent pair of astronomy binoculars will help you see all the wonders that can be found in the Milky Way Galaxy.
The Type of Prism
Have you ever wondered how small binoculars can give you clear images of the Moon? This is thanks to the fact that they use prisms. These are complex glass components that can manipulate light to present high-quality images at very far distances.
The two most popular prism options for astronomy are called Porro and Roof. Porro prisms are renowned for their quality and performance in low light conditions. On the other hand, we have the Roof prisms. They are also known for their crisp images, but not just that.
The Roof prisms are also lightweight, and this is why they can be found on smaller binoculars that are easier to carry around and use without a tripod.
Eye Relief
One feature that you should never overlook when buying astronomy binoculars is eye relief. This represents the distance between the focused image and the final lens. If you wear eyeglasses, then you are going to have a difficult time using astronomy binoculars for extended sessions if they are not equipped with high-quality eye relief technology.
Additionally, you can opt for adjustable eyecups if you can’t find a great pair of astronomy binoculars that use eye relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 10×50 binoculars good for astronomy?
The short answer is yes. While 10×50 binoculars might seem a bit too small for stargazing, this is not the case. They are powerful enough to help you observe galaxies that go beyond the Milky Way! You should check out the Andromeda Galaxy and the M110 M32 Galaxies that surround it.
Which binoculars are the strongest?
There are lots of strong binoculars that you can purchase, but we highly advise you to check out the Orion 9456 Resolux binoculars that are featured on the first spot on our list. Their build quality is amazing, and the clarity of the image will blow you away, even in low light conditions.
Why do some binoculars have green lenses?
The reason why some binoculars have green lenses is not for design or aesthetics, and instead, the green coating helps you see better images. Our eyes are more sensitive to green lights, and therefore, the image clarity is enhanced when the lenses have a green tint.
What can you see with astronomy binoculars?
Depending on the quality of your astronomy binoculars, you can basically see everything that surrounds our planet. The outer space will be your playground. A pair for decent astronomy binoculars can see clear images as far as Jupiter’s moons!
Can you see the Milky Way with binoculars?
High-quality astronomy binoculars can help you see even further than the Milky Way Galaxy! An excellent place to start when you buy a new pair of binoculars is with the star clusters that are close to Earth.
After that, you can begin to cover a larger area of the sky slowly, and before you know it, you will start seeing the Andromeda Galaxy in all its beauty.