Is there any way to counter light pollution when using binoculars?

Question

Is there any way to counter light pollution when using binoculars?

Answer 1

Most garden variety binoculars, like the 7x35's in the back of your closet, are not set up to use filters.  And, they don't have enough light gathering area (the 35 part) to cope with narrow band filters.

There are binoculars that use standard 1.25" eyepieces, and filters can be threaded on them.  You need two filters, of course.

My driveway light pollution is near the worst on Earth.  I do not use normal sky glow filters.  Just Oxygen 3.  But my 48x254 monocular (10 inch scope) can afford to toss 99% of the light received away. And the reward is that nebulae are just as good looking between the flood lights across the street as they are from dark sky sites.  Lumicon makes an oxygen 3 filter that works with smaller scope.  I've used one with a 4 inch (100 mm).

Unfortunately, there does not appear to be a way to get galaxies from my location, other than m31, m80, m81, and maybe one of the ones in the Virgo cluster.

Answer 2

You could add dew shields to cut some stray light. As always, the best solution is to get in your car and drive to a dark sky site.

Answer 3

no.

binoculars help by increasing the contrast on what you see. telesscopes do this too. filters are helpful. the very best accessory for any astronomy is a good dark sky.

Answer 4

try using your hands as a shield to block the surrounding light...

make sure you are in a dark area

Answer 5

Did you know that if you were at the bottom of a well looking up during the middle of the day..you could see stars?  Think about it!

Answer 6

Not really, other than going to a dark site far from city lights.

However, there are some filters (and some binoculars with filters built in) that will reduce the ambient light (but that also reduces the total light gathered by the instrument).