Every year, it’s the same dilemma: what gift should you get for the super space nerd in the family? And if someone has a budding interest in space and astronomy, what can you do to feed their hunger for knowledge? Today we’ll talk telescopes, books and planispheres. Everything you need to avoid a holiday gift disaster.
Visit the Astronomy Cast Page to subscribe to the audio podcast!
We record Astronomy Cast as a live Google+ Hangout on Air every Monday at 12:00 pm Pacific / 3:00 pm Eastern. You can watch here on Universe Today or from the Astronomy Cast Google+ page.
You mentioned the difficulty holding heavier binoculars. Try using a painter’s sanding pole? Get one that is lightweight/alum. and extensible/height adjustable. The head will pivot 360* and 120* on a clamped sphere. Use large rubber bands, velcro straps or small bungee’s to attach the binocs to the flat. Adjust the height to either sitting or standing position and balance/rest the binocs on your new monopod!
P.S. If it’s recycled, be sure to blow the dust off first.
P.P.S. LEGO binoculars – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo7M8EZtY4M? Or telescope https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxqetqav39Y?
I have some binoculars that I rarely use because they’re frankly terrible (at least for astronomy purposes) and I would give them away (or trade) in the right circumstances. They are general-purpose binoculars with adjustable zoom 10-30×50, independent focus on one eyepiece, and the brand is Barska.
The main reason they’re terrible is that not only is it a pain to get them into focus, but simply the pressure of holding them against your face is enough to squeeze them OUT of focus again. I don’t really understand what’s going on there (you can’t squeeze them all the way), but it’s so frustrating. My guess is this is somehow a side-effect of the adjustable zoom and that the answer is to avoid adjustable zoom binoculars like the space plague, but I’d appreciate advice/confirmation/contradiction.
Next time I’ll go for at least 15×60, though more light would be nice, and so would some rudimentary astrophotography ability. But for me it isn’t practical to go BIG. I’m better off with something I can take with me when I visit darker skies, and not have to pack any extra luggage. Something I can take “just in case” I use them, fitting them snugly in a bag that I would have brought with me anyway, and not feel I’ve wasted the effort if I don’t do any stargazing after all.
I have no plans to buy anything in the short term, but there’s every chance I will in the somewhat longer term.