Fall is a great time to observe that all time favorite galaxy, M31, Andromeda, in an
astronomy binocular. You can use M31 as a very informal target to rate your observing site. Did you know that you can actually see
M31 without a
binocular or any optical device - in other words with your unaided eye? You can IF and only IF you have a very dark sky with no light pollution and IF you know just where to look. I have seen M31 many times without a
binocular, from my observing sites far out on the western prairies. If you have such a place to observe, now, I envy you. From a mildly light polluted sky, M31 in an astronomy binocular is still a great sight and will stretch quite a way across the typical 4 degree field of a 20x80. If you live under badly light -polluted skies, like I do, you should still be able to M31 as a small, less than impressive smudge. Where you observe makes all the difference with this deep-sky object for binoculars.