New night sky enthusiasts often want to purchase a telescope right away. You should, however, first spend some quality time under the stars and then, when you think you're ready, go out and purchase a pair of good binoculars.

Some might think that binoculars are a bit of a comedown from a telescope, but the fact is that for certain aspects of skywatching, they are the best instrument to use. A pair of seven-power binoculars is lightweight and portable, and a quality pair of binoculars can far outrank a poor quality telescope.

Binoculars come in a variety of sizes. Most observers prefer the so-called 7 x 50 night glasses. The 7 refers to the magnification, while the 50 refers to the diameter of the two objective lenses, measured in millimeters. Another good choice is a pair of 7 x 35 wide-angle binoculars, which will provide you with a wide—eleven degree—field of view.

Any good pair of seven-power binoculars, when held steadily, will give you a glimpse of the craters of the moon, the crescent of Venus, and the moons of Jupiter. Should a bright comet come along, there is no better instrument to give you a great overall view of both the head and tail. And by just sweeping along the Milky Way, you'll be treated to a myriad of stars that you cannot see with your eyes alone.