This wonderful double telescope is an ED120mm Binoptic. The objective lenses are from the company Skywatcher.
The vast majority of telescopes that an interested visitor can look through consist of an optical system, whether lens or mirror.
Therefore, you look with only one eye into the device. The other eye is more or less squinted shut. However, nature has given us two eyes for a good reason.
This way of seeing has enormous advantages.
These can also be utilized when observing the starry sky. You can experience wonderful, much better observations than with just one eye. This is done using what are known as binocular telescopes.
Each eye effectively has its own telescope.
Short version: A lot!
1) You can observe much longer and more relaxed. A squinting eye limits the perception of the open eye. Moreover, our brain “loves” to construct a complete picture from the individual images of both eyes.
2) And this picture rewards us with seemingly larger representation, with more details.
3) We are wired for 3D vision. Even though celestial bodies are far too distant to generate a real 3D effect, our brain simply wants to see in 3D when both eyes are open! This creates a seemingly plastic, much more aesthetic representation of the stars.
4) The atmospheric turbulence, which can often cause wobbly, blurry images, is usually somewhat mitigated when our brain receives images from two parallel aligned optics. Your brain calculates an averaging of the individual images, which surprisingly is often calmer and sharper than the single images!
5) When using suitable wide-angle eyepieces, the lenses facing the eye can create a so-called spacewalk effect: it seems as if the stars are floating on a huge, almost unlimited canvas in front of us. Many observers find this very aesthetic and fulfilling. It feels as if you are gliding over the lunar craters when viewing the Earth’s satellite through a Binocular Telescope.
This great Binocular Telescope is a 300mm reflector binoscope..
On a starry night, I direct my gaze towards the moon through the ED 120 Binoptic telescope.
This region of North Hesse is located almost exactly in the center of Germany, making it quite accessible from the entire Republic. From a European perspective, the Werra-Meissner district is also centrally located.
Crucial for astronomical observation: There is dark sky!
A tremendous number of observatories in Germany are situated in cities or nearby. In such places, the sky is so brightened that one can hardly properly see the most beautiful objects, such as galactic nebulae, distant galaxy systems, and remnants of exploded stars (known as planetary nebulae). It is always beyond my comprehension that almost no citizen has ever been able to meaningfully and joyously observe these heavenly beauties!
Close to the small town of Witzenhausen lies the so-called Burgberg. This would be the first suggestion for a location where the observatory could be established.
Since 2014, I have dedicated myself with great passion to the use of double telescopes for visual observation of the night sky. My over 30 years of experience as an amateur astronomer has shown me that visual observation through Binocular Telescopes provides an unforgettable experience that far exceeds what conventional single telescopes can offer.
Once again, the 300 mm Binocular Dobsonian, which allowed amazing observations of galaxies and nebulae
Here is the smaller brother of the Binoptic ED120 in action: the APO 80 Lomo Binoptic.
In Germany, there is currently no publicly accessible observatory specifically focused on Binocular Telescopes, unlike the simple binoculars that are sometimes encountered… This observatory would attract not only amateur astronomers but also a wide audience eager to experience the beauty of the night sky in a completely new way. The visual observation through double telescopes is an artistic delight that uniquely conveys the fascination with the universe. Often, those interested are left speechless by the stunning observations that are possible. Beyond the well-known astrophotography lies a realm that offers an entirely different, new, immediate, and profoundly satisfying experience with nature, live and direct. I will later explain how on-site tours can take place. Here, I will draw on the concept of the Melle Observatory, founded by Bernd Schröter during the Expo 2000 in Hannover. My exchange with this founder was very inspiring. He encouraged me to design and shape this project.
Establishing such an observatory would not only enhance the scientific and cultural appeal of the region but also provide a positive economic boost. Visitors from all over Germany and beyond could be attracted, promoting local businesses and tourism. I also expect a certain international clientele as global interest in binocular astronomy is significantly increasing. Particularly, Japanese travelers are likely to bring an increased openness, especially since products from their home country will be used.
This is a Mewlon 180C reflecting telescope at Burgberg, Witzenhausen. Although it’s not a binocular telescope, it does have a bino attachment (a compromise) and a camera for the globular star cluster Messier 13, see next door.
Here is a video from my channel Binoscopeman83 in English and German, which explains a bit more about the advantages of the ED 120 Binoptic Double Telescope.