what does the 10x50 on the side of telescopes and binoculars mean?

Answer 1

its the scale of magnification, 10 mean the image is 10times larger and 50 mean 50 times, the X mean you can adjust between them

Answer 2

The first number is the magnification, or the number of times the binocular magnifies what it is looking at. The x means 'times' or 'multiplication' just as in arithmetic.

The second number is the diameter of the objective lenses in millimeters. The objective lenses are the large lenses on the front of the binocular, the end closest to the subject.

The first number tells us how much nearer objects will look when viewed through the binocular. An object (like a bird, ship, or race horse, for example) that is 500 feet away will appear 1/7 of that distance (71 feet) in a 7x glass, 1/8 that distance (62 feet) in a 8x glass, and 1/10 the distance (50 feet) in a 10x binocular.

The second number tells us first, how big the binocular is. A glass with 50mm (millimeter) or larger objective lenses will be fairly large and heavy, whereas a binocular with 21mm lenses will be small and compact.

These two numbers together tell us the light gathering power of the binocular. Divide the objective size (second number) by the magnification (first number) and you arrive at the Exit Pupil. This Exit Pupil is the small circle of light you see in the eyepiece when you hold the binocular at arms length toward a light source such as the sky or a light colored wall. The larger this exit pupil, the more light is getting through to your eyes, which is a desirable characteristic, especially in dim light.

Answer 3

The first number is magnification as the others have said. The second number is the diameter of the objective lens in millimeters. So 10X50 binoculars magnify 10 times and have objective lenses 50 millimeters in diameter. The objective lens is the big one on the front of the telescope.

Answer 4

K, that explains the binocular part. Telescopes use a different system, though, the focal length. The longer the focal length (usually measured in millimeters), the higher magnification the telescope has. Not quite the answer u were looking for, but useful when comparing.

Answer 5

Pretty simple it is the magnification power (10) and size of the objective glass (large lens in the front) 10 x (times) magnification and 50 mm across the lens. Telescopes dont usually have this mark as their eyepieces are interchangable and therefore change the magnification. Field of view is usually described for example 385 at 1000. If you look at something 1000 feet away, those glasses will let you see it as if it were 385 feet away.