Binoculars (?)

Steve Scampini (scampini@hpangrt.an.hp.com)
Tue, 18 Apr 95 16:42:23 EDT

Hi All, I have a pretty basic understanding of optics, but am curious about "big" binoculars for astronomy. I get the part about seeing with two eyes is better than with one (psychology/physiology/brain wiring). But at the distances involved is there any real "stereo" effect? This leads me to wonder whether what makes big binocs better than a big light bucket with roughly twice the gathering area and one of those splitter gizmos. Don't want to start a holy war, just suspicious that I am of limited understanding on this subject...seems like lots of ATMs dream of that big binocular project! TIA, Steve