Best Binoculars For Stargazing, Astrology & Looking At Planets

Binoculars are mostly thought of for birdwatching and wildlife viewing but they can also be used to explore the night sky. 

For many people who want to look at the stars, they are a lot easier and cheaper than a telescope.

If you like spotting constellations, watching the Moon or finding planets, the right pair of binoculars can show you a lot more than the naked eye alone.

What Should You Look For In Stargazing Binoculars?

When choosing binoculars for stargazing, the most important factor is usually brightness. Larger objective lenses allow more light to enter the binocular and help faint objects become clearer. 

Commonly used binoculars for astronomy are 7×50, 10×50 and 15×70. The higher the magnification, the more detail you’ll see but the harder it can be to keep the image steady.

Can You See Planets Through Binoculars?

Yes, but not in the same detail.

Bright planets like Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn are often easy to find with binoculars. If the viewing conditions are right, you might even be able to see Jupiter’s largest moons.

But generally, binoculars are not the best for seeing surface features on planets but more for seeing them as bright objects in the sky.

Best Binocular Sizes For Stargazing

In astronomy, several sizes of binoculars are often recommended.

7×50 Binoculars

A beginner classic. Bright pictures and usually comfortable to hold for long periods of time.

10×50 Binoculars

Often seen as one of the most versatile options for stargazing. They provide more magnification but are still portable.

15×70 Binoculars

These binoculars gather a lot of light and can show more detail on objects in the night sky. Their large and heavy weight makes them suitable for use on a tripod.

What Else Can You See?

There is much more to the night sky than planets. With appropriate binoculars, the following may be visible:

  • The Moon’s larger craters
  • Star clusters
  • The Andromeda Galaxy
  • The Pleiades
  • Dense regions of the Milky Way

Binoculars typically provide a wider field of view than most telescopes, making them useful for observing larger areas of the night sky.

Recent articles