altazimuth mounting

(al-taz -ă-mŭth) (azimuthal mounting) A mounting in which the telescope swings in azimuth about a vertical axis and in altitude about a horizontal axis (see illustration). It is easy to make and use and needs no counterpoise weights to balance the telescope. It provides a very firm support and is well adapted for terrestrial observations and for following rapidly moving objects such as artificial satellites. Its great disadvantage is the need to adjust both altitude and azimuth simultaneously and at different rates to follow the diurnal motion of a heavenly body. The application of very precise computer-controlled drive mechanisms to altazimuth mountings has led to their use in large optical and radio telescopes. The altazimuth design allows a smaller and less costly observatory dome to be used on an optical telescope. Compare equatorial mounting.

Collins Dictionary of Astronomy © Market House Books Ltd, 2006

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

But when one understands the difficulties to be overcome, I think that it may be said that Mr Sellers has made a great advance in altazimuth mountings.

Captain M. A. Ainslie, (1869-1951): his observations and telescopes

The resulting instrument was optically superb, but it rode atop a rather rudimentary altazimuth mounting. Boyer asked Camichel to suggest observing projects.

Charles Boyer and the Clouds of Venus

Such a device should also function well on the altazimuth mounting of a camera obscura.

A 6-inch camera obscura

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.