alt-azimuth

An alt-azimuth (Alt-az) mount is with a horizontal axis and a vertical axis of rotation. This means up and down (altitude) and east and west (azimuth) movements.

Simple to use, Alt-azimuth mounts are generally cheaper than other types. Thus they are used in kids’ telescopes and beginner telescopes.

The downside of these is the need for frequent manual adjustment as celestial objects move in the sky as the Earth rotates.

Read also: Which One’s Best? Telescope Mounts Explained (With Diagrams)

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