Observing Platforms

Abstract

Having a super telescope with “super duper” accessories is all very good. But if you don’t have a steady platform to mount the instrument, you’ll soon tire of it. Thankfully, there is now a huge variety of options to suit the wallet of almost every backyard observer – from simple human-powered set-ups to fully computerized behemoths capable of doing high-quality science and imaging. Selecting the right kind of mounting for your telescope can be daunting, though. For one thing, it must be strong enough to support the telescope’s weight and keep vibrations at an absolute minimum. That said, unless you wish to permanently house your instrument, it must be portable enough to set up in a reasonably short amount of time. Mechanically, it must have smooth motions on both axes, so that a celestial object can be easily tracked, either manually or with a control pad. Choosing a mount also depends on your particular needs. Are you wanting a system that can be set up in a jiffy for just a quick look, or do you want to do high-resolution astro-imaging, necessitating a precision, electronically controlled GoTo system? The task can seem bewildering, especially if you’re new to the hobby. Luckily, though, all mounts can be divided up into just two categories – so-called altitude-azimuth mounts and equatorial mounts.