Messier objects in binoculars

[Smiggsy]

I am just starting out, and trying to map the sky before I invest in a telescope. 

Question: are there any Messier objects that I can view with a pair f binoculars? 

[Stu]

I've split this out into a different thread so it can get some better answers without interrupting the other thread.

The answer is yes, plenty of Messier objects can be seen with binoculars such as 7 or 10x50.

Examples for starters are M42, the Great Orion Nebula, M31 the Andromeda Galaxy, M45 The Pleiades. Lots more including Globular clusters such as M13 and open clusters in Auriga M36, 37 and 38.

Dark skies help a lot! But it's easy to get a pair of binoculars under a dark sky at some point.

[laudropb]

Have a look at the Binocular Sky site. Each month it gives objects which can be viewed with bins.

[todd8137]

At last some one learning there way around  the constellation ,before getting a scope  Auriga as some great targets for binos 

pat

[BGazing]

These days M41 is also very nice in binos.

[ronl]

Here's the link to Binocular Sky http://binocularsky.com/ it's a great site for everything to do with bins.

[SteveNickolls]

Hi Smiggsy,

You will certainly get to learn your way around the sky finding these. Bear in mind a lot will look like faint smudges but it will help improve observation. You can find a list here- http://www.astromax.org/aa02403.htm and a downloadable pdf here -http://www.astromax.org/pdf/al-binom.pdf

Very best of luck.

Cheers,
Steve

[Size9Hex]

Welcome to the forum. I started out a similar way with binos in late 2015. There loads to see in binos including most of the Messier objects (assuming you're not somewhere with disastrous light pollution). I'm on my phone so can't paste a link, but Google for Astro League Binocular Messier, and you'll find a good list with an indication of difficulty and Bino size required. I found open clusters and globular a easier than galaxies as a general rule. Enjoy and good luck!

[Smiggsy]

Thanks for the feedback guys, extremely helpful. 

[billyharris72]

Hi Smiggsy,

I've found this record sheet useful. Nice and compact, with space for some (limited) notes.

http://www.perezmedia.net/beltofvenus/files/LogSheetBinoMessierA4.pdf

Billy.

[Smiggsy]

On 05/03/2016 at 11:15, billyharris72 said:

Hi Smiggsy,

I've found this record sheet useful. Nice and compact, with space for some (limited) notes.

http://www.perezmedia.net/beltofvenus/files/LogSheetBinoMessierA4.pdf

Billy.

This is fantastic. Thank you.