Book 8, Question 142
Why Are Binoculars a Great First ‘Telescope’?
Binoculars are a great first telescope because they are portable, show wide star fields, and need little fuss! With them you can see craters on the Moon and even moons around Jupiter. They are a perfect starter tool, and they cost far less than most telescopes.
More fun facts
- Binoculars make a great first sky tool because they are easy to use and more versatile than most telescopes.
- A good pair of binoculars can show craters on the Moon about 6 miles (10 kilometers) across and bigger.
- Binoculars show a much larger patch of sky than most telescopes do.
- You can use the same binoculars for stargazing, birdwatching and hiking.
- Going to a star party run by a local astronomy club is a great way to try out telescopes and binoculars. Just ask before you touch!
Sources: NASA Science, NASA
Questions kids ask
Can binoculars show anything on the Moon?
Yes. Good binoculars can show Moon craters about 6 miles across and larger.