Home / Guides / Telescope mount types explained
Telescope mount types explained
The mount matters as much as the optics: it decides how the telescope points, how steadily it holds, and whether it can track the sky for long-exposure imaging.
Alt-azimuth mounts
An alt-azimuth mount moves in two simple axes, up and down in altitude and left and right in azimuth. It is intuitive and quick to set up, which makes it popular for visual observing and for computerised go-to mounts such as the Celestron NexStar single-arm fork.
Its limitation is field rotation. Because it does not follow the tilted path of the sky about the pole, the field of view slowly rotates during a long exposure, so a plain alt-azimuth mount suits visual use and short exposures rather than deep-sky imaging.
Equatorial mounts
An equatorial mount has one axis aligned with the Earth's axis of rotation. Once polar aligned, a single motor turning that axis follows a star's path across the sky and cancels field rotation. This is why equatorial mounts, especially the German equatorial design, are the standard choice for long-exposure astrophotography.
The trade-off is setup: the mount must be polar aligned each session and is heavier and more complex than an alt-azimuth mount of the same capacity.
Dobsonian mounts
A Dobsonian is a simple, stable alt-azimuth mount on a rocker box, designed to carry a large Newtonian reflector cheaply. It gives the most aperture per pound and is superb for visual deep-sky observing, which is why 6, 8 and larger inch Dobsonians are so common.
Being alt-azimuth, a basic Dobsonian is a visual instrument. Tracking and imaging need extra hardware such as a motorised platform or a go-to upgrade.
Choosing by use
For visual observing on a budget, a Dobsonian gives the most aperture. For casual go-to convenience, an alt-azimuth fork is quick and easy. For serious long-exposure imaging, an equatorial mount that comfortably carries the telescope's weight is the right foundation, and mount payload capacity should exceed the optical tube's weight with a margin.
See the mount your telescope uses
Open the Fit My Telescope gear finderPick your telescope to see its mount type and accessories.Find equatorial telescope mount on eBayaffiliateRelated
Sources: Celestron mount documentation ยท Sky-Watcher mount specifications