Are two eyes better than one? In the case of binoculars – with their ease of use and portability when observing the Sun – using both eyes is just the ticket. And if you already have a pair of binoculars sitting around the house, then with the proper filters you can view the Sun.
If you don’t currently own a pair of binoculars, now would be a great time to buy a high-quality set that can provide double duty – you can observe the Sun as well as use the binoculars for ongoing solar and terrestrial observing. Also, there are a wide variety of binoculars available that add the functionality of providing excellent nighttime astronomical observing, offering added long-term value for your binocular purchase.
For steady viewing, a mount/tripod combination very useful for using binoculars when looking at the Sun. Options are varied – from simple mounting of the binocular on a tripod to full computer controlled mounts that will find and track any astronomical object you want to view.
Solar Filters for Binoculars
It is not safe to use binoculars to view the Sun without the proper filters. There are a number of filter sizes available off the shelf for a wide 
variety of binoculars that can be purchased from astronomy retailers (who also sell astronomy enhanced binoculars).
There are two basic types of solar filters: white-light and H-alpha filters. You’ll need a white-light filter for your binoculars as H-alpha filters are not available for binocular solar viewing.
White-light filters allow the full spectrum of the Sun’s light to pass through the telescope – however they remove 99.999 percent of the Sun’s energy, for a safe viewing environment. These filters are mounted to the front of the binocular and are typically made of glass or film.
An option to buying a readymade white-light filter is to build your own. One good reason to do so is affordability. A single sheet of solar-safe film may be enough to build filters for more than one set of binoculars – even multiple telescopes. You can purchase solar-safe film specifically packaged for DIY solar filters and then make the filter cells from materials commonly available at your local hardware store.
Other Resources
Below are resources to help you learn more about using binoculars for general astronomy and the viewing the Sun.
Astronomy Technology Today Magazine – Solar Binoculars: Delivering a Hands on Solar Experience
The Great Solar Eclipse is bringing a host of new solar observing products to market. This includes binoculars designed specifically for solar observing. Astronomy Technology Today editor Gary Parkerson demonstrates how a pair of Lunt Solar’s SUNoculars can be used to get you up close and personal with the solar eclipse. To read click here.
Binocular Sky Website- Using Binoculars for Astronomy
Steve Tonkin hosts the “Binocular Sky” website which provides one of the most comprehensive resources about using binoculars for astronomical purposes. The website includes advice on how to choose a binocular for your specific needs, what you can see with different types of binoculars and advice on using your binoculars to get the best results. To read click here.
Astronomy Technology Today- Supersized Binoculars: The Ferrari of the Binoculars
Regular Astronomy Technology Today contributor Mark Zaslove shows how supersized binoculars can provide stunning views as he dives into the functionality of APM’s 100-mm 90° ED-Apo Binocular. These binoculars are the Ferrari’s of the binocular world and are better described as bino-telescopes as they functionally have two high-end telescopes mated to together to create the ultimate astronomical binoculars. To read click here.
The sun is more active than its been in years! If you’d like to learn more about the technology behind solar observing, solar imaging and more, you can check out our free publication, “The Definitive Guide to Viewing and Imaging the Sun”. You don’t have to sign up or provide any information, simply click here and enjoy reading!
And if you want to learn more about telescopes and more products used in amateur astronomy you will enjoy the extensive news, articles and reviews that are only available in the magazine pages of Astronomy Technology Today. We are offering a 1-year magazine subscription for only $6! Or, for an even better deal, we are offering 2 years for only $9. Click here to get these deals which only will be available for a very limited time. You can also check out a free sample issue here.