I decided to start a little project around binocular deep-sky observing. I have planned to observe and sketch a few beautiful binocular targets. Targets that are within reach of most backyard skies. I call them: Binocular Icons.
Binoculars are widely spread. Most people have a pair at home. Fewer people know that they can be used to admire the heavens as well. However, binocular astronomy has a very low threshold. Binoculars are very straight-forward to use. The image is errect. And the low power is very convenient to look up objects. Even kids learn quickly how much fun it is to use them. Binoculars are very portable and offer instant enjoyment. They are excellent travel companions because of their compact size and weight.
About the making of the sketches: These Binocular Icons are intented for the occasional observer, who wants to spend a few spare minutes under the stars. For the ease of prolonged gazing and sketching, I on the other hand needed a mounted solution. Otherwise I would have come short of hands. I decided to use a mirror mount. It allows me to observe and sketch in a more relaxed position. The first pair of bino's that I use is the Bresser 8x56 Spezial Jagd. There is nothing special about them. But they offer adequate eye relief for people like me who wear glasses while observing. The second pair of bino's is the TS Marine 15x70. They are rather heavy build and provide a fov of 4.4°.
Have a look at my book about stargazing with binoculars and small telescopes:
Binocular Icons
Barnard's E
Beehive Cluster
Butterfly Cluster
California Nebula
Coma Cluster
Crab Nebula
Double Cluster
Ghost of Alnitak
Helix Nebula
Hyades
Lagoon Nebula
North Amerika Nebula
Orion Nebula
Pleiades
Phi Cas Cluster
Pinwheel Galaxy
Praesepe
Rosette Nebula
Summer Beehive
Sword Of Orion
Veil Nebula
Whirlpool Galaxy
Stellar Associations:
Cassiopeia OB8 Perseus OB3 Orion OB1 (subgroup)
Messier Objects:
M1 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 M10&M12 M13
M22 M31 M32 M33 M35 M39 M42 M43 M44 M45
M51 M52 M60-M87-M84-M86 M66&M65 M81&M82 M94
M101 M103 M106 M110
NGC Objects:
457 654 659 663 752 869 884 957 1499 1647 1893 1977 1981 2024
2237 2244 2403 6633 6871 6885 6939 6940 6946 6992-6995 7000 7293 7789
IC Objects:
405 410 4665 4756
Melotte Objects:
Mel 20 Mel 25 Mel 111
Stars & Asterisms:
The Coathanger Polaris Regulus Taurus Poniatovii
Other Objects:
Barnard 142 & 143 Barnard 168
Collinder 399 Collinder 463
Steph 1
Stock 2