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What kind of binos should I have to learn the constellations in the night sky with? Should I get a really big pair? Or; should I get something more like opera glasses? Should I mount them on some kind of binocular mount? Or; is it better to just point them at night sky objects randomly without any kind of repeatable guidance like a telescope has?

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To learn the constellations all you need to do is have a planisphere and look up. Constellations are very large features in the night sky.

To see deep sky objects I believe a telescope is the best way to "learn the sky". Why? Because binoculars are usually too low in magnification. I suggest getting a nice 6" or 8" Dob and joining a local astronomy club.

Binoculars are fun and I think are better after you "know the sky".

Clear skies,
Rich

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Good advice, especially if you have dark skies. For less dark skies, you might need the binoculars to see the constellation's main stars. Or even that might not be enough.

Something around 8x42 or 10x50 seems pretty good for general purpose binoculars (something you could also use for watching sporting events, for example).

15x70 are already "special purpose" binoculars. I can't imagine trying to watch a football game with one of those.

15x70 are also the largest I can handhold, and even they get tiring after a pretty short while. But they are light enough that those cheap L-brackets could be adequate. Then you get by with a camera tripod as you learn the constellations. But once you start using a tripod (even a small and cheap one), you lose some of the nice advantages of binoculars, which include their portability, low cost, immediately accessibility, and ease of use.

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Zebra24601

Meade 8" SCT w/UHTC * Celestron 100ED * Celestron C11 * Barska 15x70 binoculars
Meade LXD55 mount * Orion Sirius goto mount * Bushnell Voyager 4.5" Compact Reflector

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