The moon is about 250,000 miles away. It is always a sight to behold most nights, even with your naked eyes. However, what if it was possible to see more than just the moon and a few stars? With a telescope or binocular, you can see all the astronomical objects in space clearly, which makes it more fun for you. It is an excellent way for you to appreciate nature and learn more about the stars and their arrangements. It is good to understand the difference when it comes to telescopes vs binoculars for astronomy.
The main differences between a binocular and a telescope in the way they are made and how they are intended to be used. From their name, the binocular is designed to be easily portable, has a compact design and is perfect for quick viewing. Telescopes, on the other hand, are like monoculars as they are one eyepiece and are meant to be mounted on a tripod because they are bulky and heavy to carry around.
If you want to watch the stars and other astronomical objects, it may feel like these two are competing because of their history of invention and their appeal. However, the choice you make depends on the type of luxury you need and how often you plan on watching the astronomical objects. Here are the main differences and a few similarities between telescopes and binoculars for astronomy.
Differences between telescopes and binoculars
Telescopes vs. Binoculars: Characteristics
To understand the differences between these two and how they can help you in your stargazing adventures, you must consider the different characteristics of both and how these characteristics make each unique.
Characteristics of the Binoculars
- They have two eyepieces
- Perfect for watching objects at a distance
- Excellent for when you want to carry them around
- They have a wide range of zoom options to choose from and some specialized devices make viewing fun
- They are great for both astronomical and terrestrial objects
- They have two lenses which make it easier for you to enjoy the full 3D images that you deserve
- These are not excellent for low light conditions because the objective lenses are small and do not allow in much light
Characteristics of a Telescope
- Telescopes are a larger version of the monocular, so they only have one eyepiece
- They are made for viewing objects at a far distance and are therefore preferred for celestial bodies
- Telescopes are better when mounted on a tripod because they have a higher magnification which makes it difficult to view
- They are also heavy and bulky
- The images viewed are inverted as upright images on telescopes are not transcendental
- They have a larger aperture, which allows you to see great images even when there are low light images.
Telescopes Are Not the Only Method to View Stars
The truth is, two eyes are always better than one. Your eyes are spaced a few inches apart and therefore ensure that you have a different viewpoint when you use each. Your brain later combines the viewpoints and shows you an image that comes from the two eyes. This is why you can perceive the world as a three-dimension picture and not a flat one.
The eyes are well adapted to sensing color and light, which means you will react to dark and brighter images. Your brain will also build on a more profound perception of the picture. There are differences between the data collected by the right and left eyes, and this affects the depth of information that will keep the mind busy. However, the use of binoculars makes it fun to understand the 3D images that the brain sees.
Binoculars amplify this effect and allow you to watch the wildlife and love what you see because you are getting a complete view. With great zoom, the images you see will feel like they are right there in front of you, and you can touch them. The specialty binocular is not too large, and it works perfectly since they are not that different from the normal binoculars. However, they are not the easiest when looking at the stars. The astronomers will often make do with only one image. Because of the larger magnification and the fact that they are not easy to control, most find that it is easier to control a telescope that these monoculars.
But, if a beginner, the binoculars have numerous disadvantages. To begin with, it will be difficult for you to see anything. You may even start assuming that you bought the wrong gadget or that astronomers are lying. However, telescopes take a little bit longer to get accustomed to because most people are not attuned to seeing images with just one eye and especially if those images are magnified.
At first, you will see that the proportions and scales which will not make sense and only a tiny piece of the sky will be visible. It will also be upside down, which may confuse you even further. If you find it difficult to see the images, you may want to stick to the binoculars since they are two telescopes bolted together.
Where the Binoculars Fail
As a newbie, you may not realize it, but the binoculars make it easier for you to view images up in the Milkyway. However, they are not preferred by professionals because there is a level of image perception. The telescopes are actually built to improve your ability to view images clearly in dim light situations. Even the smaller telescopes are more significant than the average binocular and need to be placed on a stable space to guarantee that you see a clear image. Binoculars are not meant for light accumulation and are therefore not easy to use when you want to see precise details of the sky when you are viewing the Milky Way.
Telescopes are originally made to gather light and magnify objects so that they look and feel closer. Sadly, the more the objects are magnified, the dimmer they are. It is the reason why it is so difficult to diffuse star clusters and comets which are within the deep skies.
Therefore, expect that the only objects that will be completely clear are the bodies and planets which are close or other objects which are as big as the moon. Their short field of view makes them unpleasant to use. They also do not offer a correction to the inversion of the image. It is, therefore, like looking at the sky upside down or in a mirrored image. It takes time for individuals to understand the images and be able to point them out to their friends when using the telescope.
Difference between Binoculars and Telescopes
The two have both slight and massive difference that you can easily pick out. Looking at them at a glance, you will notice that telescopes are much larger than binoculars. Binoculars are therefore light and easy to carry while telescopes are slightly heavy hence making them unfit for hiking.
However, to be objective and point oriented, here is a simple to read comparison table between telescopes and binoculars.
| Telescope | Binoculars |
| The lens is usually used for long-distance viewing, and are relatively large while binoculars are smaller and ideal for a short distance. | Binoculars are designed for both eyes hence giving you flexibility and minimizes eye fatigue while viewing. However, telescopes are designed for a single viewing. |
| Unlike binoculars that are handheld, telescopes are designed to rest on tripods. They are designed as one big tube hence the need to rest them on tripods. | They are super light, making them ideal for hiking and other outdoor activities. If you compare the two, the biggest binoculars still weigh lighter compared to the smallest telescope. |
| The single view design provides you with the depth of a flat of field. | With double viewing, you are guaranteed of seeing your images in a 3D format |
| Telescopes are convenient for use while on a standing position. They are ideal for watching distant objects for precise vision, while binoculars are ideal for watching moving objects within a closer range. | Binoculars are lightweight and easy to carry around. They can easily fit in your outdoor backpack and are easy to access and use while telescopes are much massive and take time to set up for use. |
| It has a bigger focus range between 15-20 feet compared to binoculars. Binoculars have a closer focus range 0f 4-5 feet. However, this can change depending on the quality or type of the device. | Telescopes have a specific and narrow field of view, while binoculars have a wide field of view. |
| Telescopes are usually pricier compared to binoculars. | Often come at a friendly price tag, but it usually varies depending on the model. |
Conclusion
If you have the budget to support your needs, owning the two could be the best decision you ever made. However, if you have to choose between them, then it is essential to only invest for one that supports most of your needs.
In other words, think of your options and priorities one, which makes you happier. The last thing you would want is to buy a device that limits your way of having fun while you enjoy nature.
