Mounts | Department Store Products | Stargazing Organizations | Summary

Mounts

Mounts are bases. They hold the equipment off of the ground, prevent sporadic motion that causes the object in the field of view to be lost, and they can help the observer to track the object. (Remember, the earth rotates and, just like the sun rises and sets through a day, the stars rise and set through a night.) Only low power binoculars do not need mounts; even then a tripod is recommended to prevent tiring. The most important feature of any mount is stability. If a gust of wind makes the equipment shutter dramatically, the reason for the mount is foiled. There are three basic mounts for astronomical equipment:

• tripods
• altazimuth mounts
• equatorial mounts.

Tripods
The tripod, a stand with three legs that the equipment can be screwed into, is used with binoculars. Many binoculars, especially if marketed as astronomical binoculars, will be equipped with a way to attach to a tripod. Otherwise, an additional component must be purchased to attach the binoculars to the tripod. Tripods can be inexpensive, but avoid cheaply made ones that wobble.

Altazimuth Mounts
The altazimuth mount often resembles a fork on a swivel base. The telescope is suspended between the prongs of the fork. The swivel base allows the telescope to move on a plane that is parallel with the horizon—side to side. The pivots on the forks allow the telescope to swivel perpendicular to the horizon—up and down. By using a combination of these movements, the observer can follow the arc of a star across the sky. These mounts are usually the easiest to use and the least expensive. It is the equivalent of a point-and-shoot camera. Once the telescope is mounted, it can be used. It is the observer's responsibility to keep the object in the field of view as the earth's rotation will slowly cause the object to veer out of site. Essentially, the altazimuth mount is defined by less money and more manual labor.

Equatorial Mounts
The equatorial mounts are more complicated than altazimuth mounts because they must be set up before each use. Instead of moving side to side and up or down, the equatorial mount is aligned with the polar axis and locked onto it. Thus, one plane is immobile and the other is responsible for tracing the stars. This works because the stars appear to rotate around the polar axis—roughly located at the north star. One advantage to the extra work of an equatorial mount is that a motor can be attached to it. With the coordinates of the celestial object and the speed of rotation entered, the motor and mount combination will track the viewed object, making it easy to keep the desired sight in the field of view. Essentially, the equatorial mount can be defined as more costly and less work—eventually.

Department Store Products

Avoid buying astronomical equipment from a department store. Instead, order from a catalogue, order on-line or buy from a telescope store. Department stores most often sell low-quality equipment for low prices, but not as low as the equipment probably should be priced. Also, their staff are usually not knowledgeable about the equipment and will be of no service to the uneducated consumer. A telescope store or a Website can offer more information on the product and can answer questions.

If possible, visit star parties, organized by local astronomy clubs. Many organizations schedule regular parties, which are opportunities for telescope owners and afficionados to meet in a light-pollution free place to stargaze and see each others’ equipment. Many owners will allow the novice to “test drive” a telescope to see what the view is like. Many are knowledgeable, will answer questions and will offer suggestions.

Summary

The amateur astronomer must compromise and balance if purchasing astronomical equipment. Every telescope or pair of binoculars has some flaw; however, sometimes the flaws do not matter as much. For example, an observer who views the Andromeda galaxy, can see it with binoculars, can see it well with a reflector, and can have an unblurred field of view with an expensive reflector. Perhaps, seeing it well is all the observer wants. A balance must be found between:

• what the observer wants to see
• how well the observer wants to see
• how much the observer wants to pay.

Many factors are considered before purchasing the most suitable equipment (Table 1). Observers should debate whether:

• they are willing to travel or will use the equipment in the backyard
• they are willing to learn to collimate equipment or need something easy
• they are willing to invest in accoutrements or want the initial system to satisfy their needs.
• they will be satisfied with the view to encourage use of the equipment
• they will be frustrated with equipment that does not achieve expectations.

With forethought, beginners can purchase the most suitable equipment to their lifestyles.