Re: Binoculars
Alexander Seidel (ase@privat.isp-net.de)
Tue, 22 Dec 1998 15:04:04 +0100
Matson, Robert wrote:
> On the subject of binoculars, I agree with Lee: 9 x 63 is a bit much for
> extended satellite observing sessions. 8 x 56's are perfect.
>
> > Celestron has a nice 8x56 pair at around $250 (mail order).
>
> The very binoculars I own! They have been fabulous for satellite tracking.
Hi folks,
in my more active days as a satellite observer I also mainly used my
8x56. This is a wonderful multi-purpose instrument, not too heavy,
meaning easy to handle, and reaching down to the low +8.x or even +9.x
(for good eyes, mine are not) magnitudes of the fainter satellites.
I also often used (and still like to use) my 7x35. This is an old
"Celestron" product, but I donīt know whether they still manufacture and
sell it. It has an astonishing viewing field of about 11 degrees (578 ft
/ 1000 yds or 193 m / 1000 m), and the multi-coated BAK-4 prisms yield a
high-quality view. (PS: I had several 7x35s over the years, and all of
them worked quite well, but this special one worked/works best). This is
good for the brighter sats, or - due to itīs large field of view - for
finding fast-moving sats with a certain degree of uncertainty of the
orbit, or finding flashing objects with a long photometric period,
especially some payloads producing sharp specular flashes.
For very faint objects, or to get some good spatial resolution (not for
satellites, but for other astronomical observations), I used/use my
TORDALK 22x80 binoculars. This special one is no longer built in Germany
afaik, but I am sure you will find an 22x80 elsewhere. I once also used
to have a 14x100, which was a more powerful light-gathering instrument,
but not easy to handle without a tripod due to itīs heavy weight, so I
sold it, and preferred the 22x80 for the "tough" sats to observe.
Merry christmas,
Alex
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