![]() These lava plains cooled and eventually formed the gray “seas” we see today. They formed 3.5 billion years ago when asteroid-sized rocks hit the moon so hard that lava seeped up through cracks and flooded the impact basins. This is the best place to see lunar features casting long shadows in sharp relief.Ĭheck out the gray blotches on the moon – named maria – that early astronomers thought were seas. This line between the day and night sides of the moon is the terminator line. That’s just the line between light and dark on the moon. Image via Greg Diesel Walck Photography.Įach month, as the moon goes through its regular phases, you can see the line of sunrise and sunset on the moon progress across the moon’s face. When it’s a waxing crescent in the western sky after sunset, you’ll have a beautiful view of earthshine. This eerie glow on the moon’s darkened portion is light reflected from Earth onto the moon’s surface. Start moon-gazing when the moon is just past new. Then the glare of the moon is not so great, and you’ll see more detail. Hint: the best time to observe the moon is in twilight. But the moon itself is a perfect target for beginning astronomers armed with binoculars. If you want to see deep-sky objects inside our Milky Way galaxy – or outside the galaxy – you’ll want to avoid the moon. When you start to stargaze, you’ll want to watch the phase of the moon carefully. Read Sky & Telescope’s article on how to buy your first pair of binoculars. If 7x50s are too big for you – or if you want binoculars for a child – try 7x35s. A pair of 7×50 binoculars are optimum for budding astronomers. You can see a lot, and you can hold them steadily enough that jitters don’t spoil your view of the sky. Plus, they’re very useful for daylight pursuits, like birdwatching. Unless you mount them on a tripod, they’ll shake and make your view of the heavens wobbly. Start with a small, easy-to-use sizeĭon’t buy a huge pair of binoculars to start. Also consider our Astronomy Kit, which has a booklet on what you can see with your binoculars. You can purchase a planisphere at the EarthSky store. Many people start with a planisphere as they begin their journey making friends with the stars. Even a moderate form of power, like those provided by a pair of 7×50 binoculars, reveals seven times as much information as the unaided eye can see. That’s because first-time telescope users often find themselves completely confused – and ultimately put off – by the dual tasks of learning to use a complicated piece of equipment while at the same time learning to navigate the night sky.īeginning stargazers often find that an ordinary pair of binoculars – available from any discount store – can give them the experience they’re looking for. After all, in astronomy, magnification and light-gathering power let you see more of what’s up there. The fact is that most people who think they want to buy a telescope would be better off using binoculars for a year or so instead. Binoculars are a better place to start than telescopes The Milky Way arching over a Joshua tree, photographed by EarthSky Facebook friend Manish Mamtani. If not, they’re less expensive than a telescope, easier to use and transport to a dark site or even to your yard, and they give you incredible views! Here are our top six tips for using binoculars to stargaze. You’ve probably already got a pair of binoculars lying around your house somewhere. ![]() Before you jump into buying a telescope, try using binoculars. You’ve been gazing at the night sky for a while now, but you’re ready for a view you can’t get with your eyes alone. Learn how to use binoculars for stargazing and what to look for.
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