Backyard Astronomy And Other

Constellation binoculars are specialized optical devices designed for stargazing, particularly for viewing entire star constellations and celestial objects. They offer lower magnification and a wider field of view, making it easier to observe larger swatches of the night sky as compared to standard binoculars and telescopes.

I purchased a pair of SVBONY constellation binoculars in August 2026. When viewing through the binoculars, I find them very comfortable, easy to hold and with excellent eye relief. The eye relief is listed at 9 mm, with an exit pupil of 19 mm. There is a slight amount of distortion around the edges of the field of view, but not really objectionable.

The binoculars arrived well packaged in a sturdy box with custom-fitted foam for added protection. After removing the foam, I found that the binoculars fit perfectly in a small Pelican case, making it ideal for storage and transport. (See the photo at the bottom of this article)

First light! Sunset was at 7:52, and the sky was completely clear. About 20 minutes later, I began looking for Polaris with my naked eyes, but I couldn’t see it. I then looked through the constellation binoculars, and Polaris was immediately visible. I started scanning the sky, and gradually, random stars began to appear through the binoculars….stars that were completely invisible to my naked eyes. It was interesting to see just how much more the binoculars revealed, even under what appeared to be a clear sky.

My observing notes as following from my 6.0-6.5 suburban backyard, over several nights, with some early morning sessions.

• Shortly after sunset: Polaris appearing first through the binoculars is a great demonstration of their light-gathering ability. Other stars that were invisible to my naked eyes suddenly became obvious.
• Little Dipper:  I could only see three stars naked-eye, but “essentially” the whole constellation through the binoculars.
• Mizar being visibly double, but not cleanly separated.
• The long eye relief is a major advantage. Being able to observe while wearing glasses, and actually getting cleaner star images “maybe” because my mild astigmatism is corrected.
• Corona Borealis observation is another nice example of what these instruments can do. I could see seven stars with the binoculars “before complete darkness” versus one without.
• Pleiades star cluster appears very small due to the lack of magnification, so conventional binoculars work best.
• Double Cluster can be seen as two clusters, with resolution of a few brighter outer stars.
• The Andromeda Galaxy is easily seen with the constellation binoculars.
• The entire constellation of Orion fits nicely within the FoV.

Terrestrial observations are a bonus. They brighten the nighttime woods just enough for me to see deer walking and wandering about. This is something that’s otherwise invisible without the binoculars.

Walter Scott Houston often discussed holding a nebula filter directly in front of his eye when observing large nebulae. That got me wondering about using the constellation binoculars in a similar way. Their very wide field of view and low magnification, combined with an O-III or UHC filter, might produce some interesting results. However, given the binoculars’ small apertures, I wonder if the filters might make the view too dim.

Observing aurora could prove to be interesting. I’ve previously observed aurora that was photographically obvious, but visually subtle or invisible naked eyes. The constellation binoculars may assist and brighten the colors, but this will only be known with actual observations.

My only binoculars at the moment are a pair of Pentax 7×21 minis, which I’ve had for nearly 40 years. For many of those years, when the mornings were still dark, I would keep them tucked in my coat pocket. And before getting into the car for work, I’d always spend a few minutes scanning the sky. During the winter months, open cluster M41 was one of my favorite targets. I could easily pick it out with the little Pentax mini’s despite a close streetlight. They provided excellent resolution, but could never see the red color of the famous Espin star.

Those few minutes meant more to me than just observing the sky…

….they gave me a little relaxation and enjoyment before starting a day at work that was almost guaranteed to present plenty of problems and stress. Looking up at the stars, even briefly, gave me a chance to clear my mind before the day began.

August 27-28 2026 Lunar eclipse:

I made the following photo for a framing/test shot for the August 2026 lunar eclipse: Attached T6 with a 3D printed adaptor, connected to the telescope, and 30 second video. I extracted the best frames with Autostakkert 4 software to get the sharpest image. Brad S.

Brad is the new owner of this fine telescope.

After 34 years and ~1,500 hours under a night sky, it was time for another amateur astronomer to have this fabulous 10-inch f/4.5 Newtonian. Brad S. was the perfect person.

I always took incredible care of the telescope and mount…storing both inside with the OTA in a padded zip-up bag in a closet. I ordered the telescope on February 5th 1992 at 9:00 PM from “Pauli’s Wholesale Optics” in Danbury, Connecticut: The owner Fred Pauli took my order over the phone. Fred was well known throughout the amateur astronomy community. Cloudy nights and other platforms still have articles written about Fred. I always enjoyed talking with him. A nice guy…

https://www.cloudynights.com/forums/topic/694092-a-chat-with-fred-pauli-of-paulis-wholesale-optics

The telescope was delivered on February 10th in several large heavy-duty corrugated boxes and left in front of my garage door, by UPS. I was really excited! On that day, and for “almost” 34 years, I never thought I’d sell this telescope, but all good things come to an end.

The real reason for my decision that someone else should own this fabulous telescope: it had just become too large and heavy for me.

I used the telescope with two mounts: The original and Celestron CGE-Pro GoTo pictured below.

Open clusters in Ophiuchus:

From “Deep-Sky Wonders” Walter Scott Houston: selections and commentary by Stephen James O’Meara: 

“Many years ago Glen Chaple, Jr., of Townsend, Massachusetts, “discovered” a deep-sky object in Ophiuchus; he found about two dozen stars forming a group which could be glimpsed with the naked eye.  He likened the cluster to the Praesepe in Cancer, but was not plotted on his copy of “Norton’s Star Atlas.” The object does, however, have a name.  It is IC 4665 and is listed in the “Index Catalogue” to the NGC. In those days of stargazing, serious deep-sky observers soon learned that no single atlas can suit all their needs. Today, of course, IC 4665 is plotted on most modern star charts.” WSH

“Deep-Sky Wonders” A Tour of the Universe With Sky & Telescope’s Sue French

“The splashy open cluster IC 4665 is barely within the boundary of the Milky Way on the atlas. It’s easy to spot 1.3º north-northest of Beta Ophiuchi, which shares the field of view through binoculars or a finderscope. In my 15×45 image-stabilized binoculars, the cluster’s prominent core spans more sky than the full Moon, and loosely scattered outliers to 70′. Half its 40 stars outline a rough circlet with one star at its center and a stem that leads westward to a slightly wavy line tipped north-northwest. To me, it looks like a simplistic drawing of a flower springing up from a gently undulating patch of the ground. Finish amateur Jaakko Saloranta comes away with a different impression. Through his 80mm refractor, he sees the group as the Fish Spear of Poseidon. Sue French

A reply via Cloudy Nights as following from expert visual observer Tony Flanders:

Yes, it’s certainly a remarkable cluster. It’s one of the easiest clusters to see without optical aid, and one of the few clusters that can be fully resolved by hand-held binoculars. And obviously super-easy to locate, even if you can’t see it directly.However, what you see is what you get — about a dozen 7th- and 8th-magnitude stars. As far as I can judge by appearance, it has no faint stars at all. (Likely it really does have some, but they’re camouflaged by the Milky Way background.) So it’s much less interested than (say) the Pleiades, which has a wide range of star brightnesses.

I think of it as the least interesting of the three great open star clusters in the area, together with splendid NGC 6633 and super-rich IC 4756. Tony Flanders

IC 4665: Excellent in my 80mm refractor: Roger Ivester

RA: 17h 46m  Dec:  +05º 45m 

Photos as following from wikisky.org

NGC 6633: Rich and most interesting of the three in my 80mm refractor:

RA: 18h 27m  Dec: +06º 34m 

IC 4756: A four or six-inch telescope is needed to fully appreciate this cluster, however nice in my small refractor: Roger

RA: 18h 40m  Dec. +05º 29m 

I’m adding one of my favorite asterisms for the evening:

Sue French using a 105mm refractor with the employ of a mirror diagonal

My interest in amateur astronomy began in the mid-70s’ with the purchase of an Edmund 4.25-inch f/10 EQ reflector. From that time on, I’ve never known anything other than visual observing. I became a very serious student of amateur astronomy with the purchase of 10-inch f/4.5 Newtonian in 1992. At that time, I began making detailed pencil sketches, but only drawing what I see in the eyepiece. I don’t embellish my drawings or use any computer enhancements.

Finding deep-sky objects manually from my suburban backyard, with a 6.5 Bortle sky can be difficult. So, how do I find objects that are not readily seen in the eyepiece?

My favorite finder has a 6 degree field-of-view. So, using a ring with a diameter that matches 6 degrees on the atlas, I center the deep-sky object. I then move my telescope to the location. This can be fairly easy when looking for brighter objects, but when looking for very faint objects it may require careful observing.

A nice description of averted vision from AI as following:I

Averted vision is an observational technique used in visual astronomy that involves looking slightly away from a faint object. By shifting your gaze off-center, you allow the light to fall onto the highly light-sensitive rod cells in the periphery of your retina rather than the less sensitive, color-detecting cones in the center.

To locate my selected deep-sky objects, I just match up my finder view with an atlas and attempt to point the scope at the exact spot. Note: The difficult galaxy NGC 6118 is in the center of the field. The stars Yed Prior and Yed Posterior, and would seem easy enough to find the galaxy, but not. I had to find “or see” the two faint stars to the north of the galaxy, and with difficulty, the galaxy was seen. Many or most amateurs say that NGC 6118 is the most difficult object in the Herschel-400 list.

I use different sizes of brass and steel rings to match my finder(s) field of view. My choice for the last 15 years plus have been the “S&T Pocket Sky Atlas” which are compact and easy to use in the field. The black stars are so much easier to use as compared to atlas’ with white stars on black backgrounds. Plus, I like the larger format pages of the Pocket Sky Atlas’.

If you will notice, I draw circles (on the atlas pages) are for my “selected” objects. I don’t mind all of the drawn circles, soaked pages from dew, which shows the atlas’ have been well used.

A few examples of my pencil sketches. I have more than 200 sketches using this format (5 x 8) and about 1,500 using much smaller 3 x 5 cards.

I’ve had an interest in amateur astronomy since I was 12 years old in 1965. My older brother Jim, had purchased a 60mm f/15 equatorially mounted refractor. I began using this telescope to observe the moon. I really wanted to see some of those beautiful spiral galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae I’d seen in my 6th grade science book. However, this was just not my time for going beyond the solar system, as I needed to learn my way around the sky.

In March 1977 I would purchase my first “very own” telescope: A 4.25-inch EQ mounted reflector. A humble telescope by todays standards, but this would begin my quest to become a serious amateur astronomer, which continues even to this day. This telescope was only a beginning, as I would later own at least twelve or more. However, as of today I have only four telescopes, with each having a specific purpose. Earlier this year (2026) I sold my 10-inch f/4.5 EQ Newtonian, and Vixen 102 mm refractor. It was just time to downsize.

In 1986, the year of Halley’s Comet, Brad and I became a founding members of the newly formed “Cleveland County Astronomical Society” meeting at various locations for a few years.

The club for the past 35 years meets once a month at the Williams Observatory on the campus of Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.

It was actually my youngest son, Brad who read an advertisement in the local newspaper. The ad was asking for anyone interested in being a part of establishing an astronomy club in Cleveland County. We were all in !!

Photo below: That same year, we would begin meeting for deep-sky telescope observations at the Polkville airport which was our designated dark-site for a few years.

That’s me, behind the telescope, and Brad is the youngest person in the photo. It was a hot summer afternoon and I rode my bicycle to Polkville, and actually changed out of my cycling clothes for the photo.

Photo as following: 1994″Regional Gathering of Amateur Astronomers” Cleveland County Astronomical Society current and former officers.

Also Tom Lorenzin (to my left) Astronomy writer and author of “1000+ The Amateur Astronomer’s Field Guide…”

Below: John Dobson the inventor of the Dobsonian telescope would visit the CCAS during the 90’s

My family photo (2025)

In 1993, I had just completed observing “visually” all of the objects in the classic book “The Finest Deep-Sky Objects” by James Mullaney and Wallace McCall. I really enjoyed this book and upon completion wrote James (Jim) a handwritten letter. This was in the days before emails, at least for me. A few weeks later I received a letter back from Jim, which began a friendship that continues to this day.

Jim asked me if I’d post the following.

Enjoy…Roger Ivester

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

I had the honor and privilege of reviewing the original hardcover edition of Leslie Peltier’s classic Starlight Nights: The Adventures of a Stargazer in the February 1966, issue of Sky & Telescope. 

The magazine had just published Wally McCall and my three-part series “The Finest Deep-Sky Objects” and the editors thought I would be a good fit to review Leslie’s book.  This was followed by extensive correspondence with him, which in turn resulted in two visits to Delphos, Ohio, to meet him in person. 

I was there by myself the first time in October, 1968, and among other things he autographed my review copy with the words “Good friend and most kind “reviewer.” With very warmest regards, Leslie Peltier“

He let me hold the famed “starberry spyglass” and we inspected his huge observatory with the 12-inch Clark refractor.  But the most thrilling thing for me was that this famed observer let me sit in his seat in the amazing “Merry-Go-Round” observatory with it’s historic 6-inch richfield refractor. Leslie used this telescope for most of his dozen comet discoveries. 

This wonderful afternoon was topped-off by an incredible Sunday dinner made by his wife, Dottie before I started the drive back to Pittsburgh. 

The second memorable visit followed a year later accompanied by Wally McCall.  We both came away from the visits feeling that we were in the presence of a divine being. James Mullaney

Note: James was most recently (2026) honored with the naming of an asteroid:

Meade 10-inch f/4.5 EQ Newtonian model DS-10A pictured below.

I’m really glad I talked with Fred Pauli on that February night so many years ago and “made the decision upon his recommendation ” to purchase the 10-inch. At that time, I had no idea I would eventually spend more 1,500 hours with this telescope under a night sky over the next 34 years. I would also make hundreds and hundreds of observing notes and pencil sketches using this telescope. It was a revelation going from a 4-inch telescope to a 10-inch.

The telescope was really large and heavy, but I didn’t care, as the views made the extra effort worth it! However, the time had come for me to find a new owner for this telescope. It was getting heavier and heavier with each passing year and the time had come to find a new owner for this telescope. However, the scope had served me well for more than three decades.

I ordered the telescope from Pauli’s Wholesale Optics in Danbury, Connecticut, on Wednesday, February 5th 1992 at 9:00 PM from the owner himself…Fred Pauli. It was Fred that recommended the 10-inch. This was in the days before email or ordering online. I would purchase a lot of astronomy equipment over the next eight or ten years from Wholesale Optics.

Sometimes I’d call and place an order at 10:00 in the morning, sometimes 10:00 at night, but whenever I’d call, it was always Fred who answered the phone. I’d talk with Fred briefly, give him my Master Card number and would normally receive my order in about a week.

When I got home from work on Monday, February 10th, some large brown corrugated boxes were stacked up in front of my garage door.

I was wanting to purchase a smaller Newtonian, but Fred Pauli recommended a larger 10-inch telescope. At that time, I had no idea I would eventually spend more than 1,500 hours with this telescope under a night sky over the next 34 years. I would also make hundreds and hundreds of observing notes and pencil sketches.

This telescope allowed me to become more active in my local astronomy club: The Cleveland County Astronomical Society, and then about eight years later, the Las Vegas Astronomical Astronomical Society. I had family living there, and still do. It was with my local club that I began writing observing articles for the monthly newsletter.

After becoming a member of the Las Vegas Astronomical Society in about December 2008, I met Fred Rayworth. The both of us were visual observers, and founded the Observer’s Challenge report. Our first report was issued in February 2009. Fred and I compiled the report through about 2017.

After years as a report contributor, Sue French became an administrator in 2018, and then co-editor with myself in compiling the report for its last five years. It was Sue’s notoriety, as an editor for “Sky & Telescope” magazine that helped gain a much wider audience of more serious amateurs. Sue deserves much credit for the report’s success and continued success.

The report continues to have high daily downloads, despite the last report being issued in June, 2024. There are both astronomy clubs and amateurs at-large that continue to use the challenge report for reference or as an observing agenda.

The larger aperture of the 10-inch versus the smaller telescopes I’d been using, allowed me to make far better pencil sketches, and observing notes. A sampling of my pencil sketches without any embellishments, and without the use of a computer. I have hundreds and hundreds of pencil sketches.

Life changes:

After spending so much time and effort over the past 34 years under a night sky…my observing will now be far less and I’ll be going back to using small telescopes. And I have so many other interest, like cycling, weight lifting, history and especially local history. I also need to note, most importantly…I have a family. 🙂

Roger Ivester (North Carolina)

 

I used an Orion 80mm f/5 refractor telescope and a Nikon D3300 camera for my very first photo of the moon:

Other attempts of the moon:

Easy enough to attach the camera to the telescope:

I changed the “single-screw” attachment ring on the back of the telescope, to a more secure “carbon-fiber” ring with two-screws to more securely hold the camera: Debbie

An observing event was held last night (February 19th 2026) on the campus of Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC, featuring a custom made 29-inch telescope by Don Brooks. Don has been active in amateur astronomy for many years, and is currently the President of the Cleveland County Astronomical Society.

It should also be noted: Longtime CCAS member, Steve Davis also attended the event last night. Steve works at the “Bare Dark Sky Observatory at Mayland Earth to Sky Park” and is an operator of the 34-inch telescope. The facility is located in Burnsville, NC and the 34-inch telescope is one of the largest public telescopes in the southeastern US.

It has a 29-inch mirror which was produced by Coulter Optics in California during the 80’s. No one seems to know “definitively” how many 29-inch mirrors were produced. Don is aware of “possibly” eight to ten. However, I communicated with an amateur on (February 20th 2026) living in Minnesota who has one in storage, which would add to the count.

Don built everything (other than the mirror and the focuser) which was an extraordinary task. A mirror this size has incredible weight and the mirror cell must be built strong enough to properly hold and secure without causing stress to the mirror. Building only the mirror cell is an engineering feat in itself.

Don Brooks and Billy Fisher setting up the telescope. It became too cold for me, and had to leave shortly after sunset.

In about 1991, I began looking for something larger than my 4.5-inch reflector which I was using at that time. The Meade Deep-Space series Newtonian’s consisted of two telescopes: A 10-inch and 16-inch f/4.5 with equatorial mounts.

This was at a time when Meade was building their serious Newtonian’s in their Costa Mesa, facility, which included grinding and polishing mirrors.  All of the hardware, bolts and Allen heads on these telescopes and mounts are SAE, not metric, which goes back to days past.

Astronomy Magazine tested a 10-inch DS-10A (The 10A was an updated version with a 2-inch focuser, setting circles, and RA drive) with the magazine giving the test mirror a rating of a B+.  

So, in February 1992, I purchased the 10-inch from Pauli’s Wholesale Optics, in Danbury Connecticut. It was Fred (the owner of Pauli’s) that recommended this telescope. It was a good decision as I have been successful in making more than 1,500 deep-sky pencil sketches and thousands of observing notes.

The low pedestal mount is ideal for use with an astro-chair, when making observing notes and pencil sketches at the eyepiece. As for me, it’s impossible to observe and sketch while standing.

The new owner of this fabulous telescope which served me well for 34 years. I spent over 2,000 hours under a night sky and thousands of pencil sketches of deep-sky objects, and the scope is still in pristine condition. The telescope was always stored inside and in a padded zip-up bag.

It was a sad day, but a happy day as the “perfect amateur” came to take this scope. I’m sure it will allow him at least 34 years of deep-sky observing also.

The first night out (Friday February 13th 2026) the new owner has already imaged the Orion Nebula, Jupiter and other deep-sky objects. This is actually an imaging telescope, with the mirror moved up for full illumination, and with an RA drive, which I never used. An extender tube is required for visual observing.

The new owner is a professional high-speed video camera expert for industrial applications and also an experienced amateur astronomer.