If you have ever tried looking through a telescope without a telescope mount to steady your equipment, you understand the difficulty of focusing on a set object in the night skies. Compound that problem with a heavenly body that is actually moving across the sky and you realize that it is almost impossible to track this object. There is no doubt, stability of your telescope is key to enjoyable stargazing.
Purpose of a Telescope Mount
A telescope mount provides a stable platform for your telescope, whether it is a refracting telescope, reflecting telescope, Dobsonian telescope, or catadiotric telescope. A telescope mount will ensure that your viewing of a celestial body is not interrupted by unexpected movement. It also determines how you will position your body relative to the telescope to view the nights sky, determining how comfortable you will be over any extended period of stargazing.
Types of Telescope Mounts
Altazimuth telescope mounts are generally used on a Dobsonian type telescope. These telescopes look like a large canister and are mounted on a chassis that provides limited mounting capabilities. With this type of mount, the telescope can...