I am wandering why I can't even see any star through my binocular. I have one binocular that marked "6-12 X 30mm" I am about to buy a telescope, but before I buy one, I still want to use my binocular for basic astronomy. Is the magnification of my binocular too low? Or is my using of the binocular wrong?

Sorry to say, but those binocs won't really help you see the night sky, especially not if it's a zoom model (as a general rule, their optics are notoriously poor). For astronomy, you'll want to go no lower than a 7x50 model, and preferably a 10x50 if you're willing to invest in a tripod. A 30mm binocular simply doesn't pull in enough light to be very useful for seeing the night sky, especially if you're already handicapped by light pollution.

For the record, I have a pair of 7x50 binoculars that I use far more often than my telescope, and am seriously considering upgrading to a larger pair. Get some good binocs, and quickly too--IMO they are absolutely invaluable for the amateur observer, experienced and not.

Best of luck!

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"Call me old-fashioned, but I think fire is magic. And it scares me a lot."

--The State

Binoculars are one the the best ways to start observing the sky. They show big parts of the sky, so you can learn your way around, and they show many beautiful things in the sky.

If I were to guess, you have zoom binoculars, since normally the number would be 7x30 or something like that. That means 7 times magnification with a 30 mm objective (front lens). 30mm objective is fairly small for binoculars -- both of my binoculars that I use for astronomy are 50mm.

For hand held viewing, you don't want the magnification too high. A larger objective is better, since it brings in more light. With your binocs, I'd start at the lowest magnification, assuming they are zoom binocs.

Wikepedia has a good article on binocs, and Astronomy.com has a good viewing guide.

Binoculars really are the best place to start with observing.

Good luck!

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Observatorio de la Ballona

Thanks for both of your replies. After reading your replies, I think I really need to change my tools. But before doing so, I have another question: Could I see something like Saturn's ring with a 7 x 50mm binocular?

No. The best you might do is to see the Gallilean moons of Jupiter, and that would be difficult. To see the rings of Saturn, you need the magnification of a telescope, if not a large one. The best I've done with binoculars is to say to myself that Saturn looks a little out of round -- with the out of round being the rings.

HTH,

--Andy

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Observatorio de la Ballona

I see. How about if I got a Orion XT8, would I be able to seem the surface of Jupiter clearly?

By the way, XT8 has a focal length of 1200mm and an aperture of 203mm

Yes, in good seeing you'd see the cloud bands of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn. "Clearly" would depend on how clear the skies are. It won't look like shots from Voyager or Galileo, but it will be cool. My first scope was only 4.5" (114mm) in aperture and I saw the rings of Saturn very well.

Find the books and sites out there with buying information. There is lots of good advice that will help you find the right hardware. And this group can help too.

Clear skies,

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Observatorio de la Ballona