Contents |
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Introduction
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Chapter 1. Why Binoculars?
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- Advantages & disadvantages of binoculars for astronomy
- Portability
- Ease of setup
- Use of 2 eyes; Physiology of Visual Processing
- "The 5mm Exit Pupil" : myth and reality
- Small focal ratio and aberrations
- Realistic expectations
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Chapter 2. Binocular Optics & Mechanics
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- Objective Lens Assemblies
- Eyepieces
- Prisms
- Optical coatings
- Aberrations
- Aperture Stops and Vignetting
- Focusing Mechanisms
- Collimation
- Image stabilization
- Binoviewers
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Chapter 3. Choosing Binoculars
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- Binocular Specifications
- Field of View
- Eye Relief
- Hand-held Binoculars
- Mounted Binoculars
- Binocular Telescopes
- Binoviewers
- Zoom Binoculars
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Chapter 4. Evaluating Binoculars
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- Preliminary Tests
- Field Tests
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Chapter 5. Care and Maintenance of Binoculars
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- Rain Guards
- Storage
- Dessicants
- Grit
- Cleaning
- Dismantling
- Collimation
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Chapter 6. Mounting Binoculars
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- Hand-holding
- Mounting Brackets
- Monopods
- Photo Tripods
- Fork Mounts
- Mirror mounts
- Parallelogram mounts
- Observing chairs
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Chapter 7. Accessories
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- Finders
- Filters
- Dew prevention and removal
- Charts and Charting Software
- Software
- Torches (Flashlights)
- Storage and Transport
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Chapter 8. Observing Techniques
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- Personal Comfort
- Observing Sites
- Observing Techniques
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Chapter 9. 50 Deep Sky Objects for 50mm Binoculars
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- 5° finder charts, location, data and description
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| Chapter 10. 100 Deep Sky Objects for 100mm Binoculars |
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- 2.5° finder charts, location, data and description
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Appendices
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- Double Stars for Indicating Resolution
- Limiting Magnitude
- True Field of View
- Useful Addresses
- Internet Resources
- Binocular Designations
- Glossary of Terms
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Index
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