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Anna Kessler
19 Apr 2025
Saw Jupiter for the first time with just binoculars!
I finally managed to spot Jupiter last night from my balcony with a simple pair of binoculars.
Couldn’t believe how bright it looked - and I think I saw some moons too!
Excited to keep exploring the sky, any tips on what to look for next?
I was honestly surprised at how much you can see without a telescope. I used a free app to help me locate Jupiter, and once I found it, I stayed out there for almost an hour just watching.
It felt peaceful and kind of magical.
Now I’m wondering – should I try to find Saturn next? Or maybe something like the Orion Nebula (if that’s even visible with binoculars)?
Would love recommendations from fellow beginners or anyone with a "starter"
observation list!
#beginnertips
#diybuild
#milkyway
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Dr. Eli Navarro
Aug 19, 2024
Anna, thank you for sharing this — it’s always exciting to hear about someone’s first observation of Jupiter! Your experience highlights just how accessible the night sky can be.
Saturn is a fantastic next target, especially during opposition. And yes, the Orion Nebula (M42) is visible with binoculars under darker skies — a great early deep-sky object.
Keep observing, take notes, and trust your curiosity — that’s how every scientist starts.
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Jason Kim
Aug 19, 2024
Love this! I’m also new to stargazing — just started using binoculars this month.
I tried to find the Orion Nebula last week, but I think there was too much light pollution 😅
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Samantha Lee
Aug 19, 2024
This brought back memories! I spotted Jupiter last summer from my parents' backyard and ended up watching it for days.
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Jonas Patel
Aug 19, 2024
Same here! I didn’t expect to enjoy it this much but there’s something calming about just watching the sky.
You might like looking for the Double Cluster in Perseus — it’s amazing through binoculars.
Thanks for the inspiration, Anna ✨
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