Binoculars for Astronomy Outreach

[FLO]

Steve Tonkin, the man behind the Binocular Sky website and the Binocular Sky Newsletter, is on a mission to get binoculars in kids hands and show them the night sky  

His choice of binocular for this project is the 8x42 Opticron Adventurer T WP. 

We can see why, we have been recommending the larger 10x50 binocular for some time. It is, in our opinion, the best binocular for astronomy <£100. 

Steve has understandably chosen the smaller 8x magnification model because it is easier for kids to use. 

To help his project get off to a good start FLO are donating six binoculars and Opticron UK have generously offered to match the number of funded binoculars, one-to-one, up to ten binoculars. 

Well done Steve 

 

[BinocularSky]

Steve & FLO,

Thank you so much for this. It not only completes the hand-held bit of the project (I've also ordered the other six from Opticron), but it makes the mounted larger-aperture binocular(s) "extension" bit of the project imminently feasible.

[Highflight]

OK, I'm in. Where do we start? 

 

 

[Stormbringer]

What do we need to do ?

Ok bought a set from FLO hope it helps Steve in his quest ?

[FLO]

47 minutes ago, Stormbringer said:

What do we need to do ?

There is no need to do anything. Steve didn’t ask us to mention his project but I thought it noteworthy so did anyway  

If someone does wish to contribute they can make a donation here: 

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/binoculars-for-children/

HTH, 

Steve 

[RobertI]

That's very generous of FLO and Opticron and a fantastic project from Steve T. I love this idea, my 4 year old loves looking through my bins and giggles hysterically at what he can see, I'm hoping this excitement will extend to the night sky one day. 

[F15Rules]

Wonderful gesture from both Steve's?.

I have the 10x50s, recently bought via FLO and they are all Steve's review said they are☺

Well done guys!

Dave

[ollypenrice]

Well done Steve and well done Steve. 

Olly

[BinocularSky]

15 hours ago, Highflight said:

OK, I'm in. Where do we start? 

Just click the "on a mission" link in the OP

 

And thanks, everyone, for your kind words.

[Chris]

Well done both Steve's from a fellow binocular appreciator  I think 8x42's will be perfect for kids to hand hold, I hope all goes well, and I'll pop along to the page to donate shortly

Donation made, hope you get plenty more and good luck  

[BinocularSky]

These (and the Opticron ones) have now arrived, and are all "strapped up" with 3rd-party tethered rainguard-type eyepiece covers. Nice crate of binos ready to go. First session will be a local school in a couple of weeks. Thanks, FLO! And thanks everyone else who has supported this.

(Initial target has been exceeded, so Phase II, a couple of larger mounted binos, is becoming possible.)

[Stormbringer]

hope the kids have fun using them mate 

[BinocularSky]

Update: Thanks to all those who supported this.

The binos have been invaluable; The hand-helds alone have shown more than 150 people, mostly youngsters, things that they might not otherwise have seen, Most importantly, I can let them "play" independently while I do some directed observing with another part of the group.

Image: Two sets of "p-mounted 80s" were put to good use at an outreach event last Friday.