Astronomy in Binoculars!

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. Is it true that you can think of your binoculars as just a pair of small telescopes, mounted side by side? Yes No

2. The numbers on your binoculars, like 6x35, 7x50, 8x50, etc., refer to what? Magnification and aperture in millimeters Quality of optics and magnification Aperture in centimeters and magnification Quality of optics and aperture in millimeters

3. So, you're outside at night with your binoculars. The most obvious astronomical feature in the sky is, of course, the moon. Which of these lunar features can you see with binoculars? Maria Mountains All of these Craters

4. Next up are the planets. Which of these planetary features can you see in binoculars? Uranus and Neptune Phases of Venus All of these Jupiter's Galilean satellites

5. Finally, the stars. This star cluster is great for beginning binocular astronomers to look at. It's obvious to the naked eye, so much so that is often confused with the Little Dipper, and it looks beautiful in binoculars. It's actually too big to fit the whole thing in most telescopes' field of view. What is this famous star cluster in Taurus? Pleiades M7 Beehive cluster Double Cluster

6. You can also look at globular star clusters. They are compact, spherical groups of hundreds of thousands of stars, and they form a somewhat spherical distribution around the Milky Way galaxy. Unlike open star clusters, they tend to look like fuzzy blobs, even with telescopes. Which of these constellations contain binocular-visible globular clusters? Hercules Centaurus Sagittarius All of these

7. Albireo, Beta Cygni, is a lovely double star to look at in binoculars. What color are the two stars? Orange and yellow Red and white Blue and yellow Yellow and white

8. Nebulas are also a lovely thing to look at in binoculars. Which famous nebula, visible to the naked eye as a fuzzy star, looks just a whole lot better in binoculars? Rosette Nebula (NGC 2244) Orion Nebula (M42 and M43) Ring Nebula (M57) NGC 6543

9. You won't be able to see many galaxies in binoculars unless you have a really dark sky and really big binoculars. But, this spiral galaxy, a close neighbor of the Milky Way, can be easily seen with 7 x 50 binoculars even in my light-polluted suburban back yard. Triangulum Galaxy (M33) Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) Andromeda Galaxy (M31) M81

10. So, you've gotten this far, and you're thinking you'd maybe like to do some backyard binocular astronomy. What else would it be a good idea for you to have? Or, better, which of these is NOT essential equipment? Really loud stereo system Red flashlight Star chart Beach towel, or lawn chair, or something comfy to sit on