Alt-Az vs Equatorial Mount for Planets: Which to Choose?
Alt-az or equatorial mount for planetary viewing? Learn how each axis tracks the sky, why polar alignment matters, and which mount keeps planets centred.
Your practical guide to observing the night sky, step by step.
3 articles
Mounts and Tripods
Alt-az or equatorial mount for planetary viewing? Learn how each axis tracks the sky, why polar alignment matters, and which mount keeps planets centred.
Equatorial or alt-az? Learn when an equatorial mount suits planets, the Moon and deep-sky objects, and what site and setup it needs before you buy.
Learn how to level a telescope tripod correctly, so polar alignment, goto pointing and tracking start from a reliable reference. Practical steps for beginners.