Earth based telescope Comparison Table

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Earth based telescope comparison table

Subject has mount has definition

altazimuth telescope altazimuth A form of mounting similar to that of a radar which allows the telescope tube to be moved horizontally (by rotation in azimuth or compass direction) and vertically (by rotation in altitude or elevation). To follow a star the telescope must be adjusted simultaneously in both axes. (also called alt-az)

equatorial telescope equatorial The classic type of telescope mount with one axis parallel to the Earth's polar axis (i.e. pointing at the celestial pole) and the other at right angles. Once the object is located, only the polar axis need be driven by a motor to counteract the Earth's rotation.

fixed mount telescope fixed direction

transit telescope designed to operate within a 1 g gravitational field A stationary support structure for a telescope. Motion is allowed along the meridian from the zenith to the horizon, but stars cannot be tracked east/west. Measurements are only possible when the objects "transit" the meridian due to the Earth's rotation.

Subject	has mount	has definition
altazimuth telescope	altazimuth	A form of mounting similar to that of a radar which allows the telescope tube to be moved horizontally (by rotation in azimuth or compass direction) and vertically (by rotation in altitude or elevation). To follow a star the telescope must be adjusted simultaneously in both axes. (also called alt-az)
equatorial telescope	equatorial	The classic type of telescope mount with one axis parallel to the Earth's polar axis (i.e. pointing at the celestial pole) and the other at right angles. Once the object is located, only the polar axis need be driven by a motor to counteract the Earth's rotation.
fixed mount telescope	fixed direction
transit telescope	designed to operate within a 1 g gravitational field	A stationary support structure for a telescope. Motion is allowed along the meridian from the zenith to the horizon, but stars cannot be tracked east/west. Measurements are only possible when the objects "transit" the meridian due to the Earth's rotation.

Next electromagnetic telescope: optical telescope Up: electromagnetic telescope Previous electromagnetic telescope: array telescope