How To Use An EQ Telescope
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- Опубликовано: 31 май 2024
- Learn how to use an equatorial telescope mount.
110 Things to See with a Telescope:
www.amazon.com/110-Things-See...
50 Things to See with a Telescope - Kids:
www.amazon.com/50-Things-See-...
50 Things to See on the Moon:
www.amazon.com/Things-See-Moo...
The telescope used in this video is a Celestron Powerseeker 70eq. This is not a telescope I would recommend for beginners unless you intend on sketching or doing another activity that requires the telescope to track for long periods of time without the aid of a motor or a computer. 
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There are surprisingly few videos online explaining this, and none that do it as simply and easy to follow as you! Thanks!
Thanks!
Watched as many videos of how to use an EQ mount as I could find. All left me more confused, except this one. By far best video on how to use an EQ mount I could find. Thank you!
You’re most welcome!
I READ YOUR BOOK AND IT WAS SO COOL good job i decided to restart telescopes i stopped 3 years ago cause my sister tried to use it and it broke so i decided to buy 1 for christmas and your book helped me thanks
wow, great to hear! Thanks for the kind note!
@@LearnToStargaze thank you
As an experienced user of all telescopes, you have done a good job with your video. I will be pointing beginners to it. Thank you. Only small edit, you didn't mention aligning the EQ axis with the telescope tube before polar aligning, with the EQ1 and no polarscope this is important. If the DEC is out so will your alignment. Loosen the RA and rotate to check polaris stays put.
I bought an eq mount like this one but the instructions went very good at fine tuning the star alignment. Your instructions really helped me understand how to do it. Thanks.
Thanks for this much needed guide! I wish a video like this had been around in the early 90s when I first got my 4.5 inch Newtonian EQ. Took years before I learned how to use it properly.
Thank you so much for this! I want having so much trouble figuring this out, but you explained it really well! I got to see the planet Saturn for the first time, Thank you!
Great to hear!
Thank you soooo much!!! I just got a eq telescope and was very confused on how to use it,
but with your help I’ll make sure to use this!
We in India don't have a lot of options especially with a lower middle class background.
Your video is really a good one for us who are thinking of buying an equatorial telescope.
Thanks!
A very pleasant, concise and informative tutorial. Checking out the rest of your videos. Thank you John!
Thanks!
Thank you. Finally, with the aid of this video after viewing many videos. I watched this video, went downstairs, and moved my eq around. Yesterday, I got my 30 year old mount out and got it put together after being in a box for 20 years, but it didn’t seem to move around like I thought. Now I'm understanding my eq mount. I'm skipping the telescope and using my older (15 yrs old) camera with a new telephoto lens to try astrophotography.
This video was super helpful and can’t wait to try it out tonight! Thanks for posting!
The only real guide. Good job and thank you 🙏
THANK YOU GOOD SIR! I've been waiting for a video like this to break down my EQ mount for easy use at night. Unfortunately, I do believe my telescope is out of culmination and needs to be worked on. I did buy 50 things to see on the moon, and my son was gifted the 50 things to see with a telescope, and the next book is already on its way to us! Thank you for making telescopes fun, and frontyard astronomy exciting with your books and videos.
Thanks so much for the feedback! Comments like this really keep me motivated.
Every question I have brings me to one of your videos and I am relieved to find you have the answer. Thanks again. Enjoying your book even without a telescope.
Great comment! Glad you’re enjoying the book!
Excellent summary of how to begin with this scope. I bought one recently and fumbled around with it. The user manual and some other videos are useless but your video was spot on. Well presented as well. I'm going to look into your books as well.
Thanks!
Man this is really. Great. Simple and clear. I used my eq wrong untill watch ur video. Really great🎉❤❤
Best explenation about Polar Alignment! Thank you very much!
Thanks!
I'm very glad I found your video. I like your video style and the way you explain everything. I'm new and was given an EQ mount telescope. I will be watching all of your videos now and buying the books. I am learning for my son to learn. Thanks, big help!
Glad to help!
Actually really useful. I’ll rewatch it many times
Thanks!
Thank you very much for this video. As a beginner, this helped me to understand the use of my 130EQ.
Thanks for this ! I had an 8 inch Dobsonian and the view was great. I sold it because I had to get down on my knees a lot to aim the red dot finder. That’s a no go for me as my knees are really bad. I’m now looking at a Schmidt-Cassegrain or good refractor for observing.
Wow I've been using mine wrong for over a decade.... No wonder it was a pain to track the moon or planets. I spent more time finding it then viewing. Thanks for this video!
Cheers pal, the wife got me a telescope for Christmas this year, yours is the best vid I've seen so far,
Your video taught me how to use my eq mount. Thank you!
You’re most welcome!!!
Thanks, excellent video! I finally got it how to use my EQ3 mount, even from my apartment window. I also bought two of your books, they are indeed very helpful.
Wonderful!
I’ve had a Dob for a year and a half, and enjoyed it tremendously. However a lucky find of a Meade 4.5 eq scope at a flea market made for an instant upgrade. I knew it could track objects, but only was able to get it assembled and pointing at the moon and Jupiter last night. Using it to full potential wasn’t possible. This will help a ton, so tonight I can take it out and really get good close looks at the gas giants :)
Great to hear!
How did It go?🤔
Fantastic. Glad I looked for this.
Thank you!!! I have the power seeker 114 eq. It was acting weird so I just started turning random nobs and locked it somehow. I Watched this video and know how to unlock it from being straight up. I also know how to use the mount in general now!
Such an amazing and an informative one ❤️
Thanks for this information 🙏
Woah, very helpful thank you
Thank you for the video ❤ I'm just a beginner and I have Celestron AstroMaster 130eq. I absolutely love it. I just wish it was motorised
I nearly spat out my coffee when you asked siri for the latitude of Halifax NS, the same city where i'm from! lol
Ha!
Hello John, Just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed your books! I have 2 of them, 50 things to see with a small telescope and 50 things to see on the moon. Both great books , They are very clearly written, and I would recommend these books to anyone new to Astronomy. I'm sure your third book for kids is just as impressive!
Wonderful!! I’m glad you enjoy the books! My 14th and 15th books (110 Things to see with a Telescope and Learn To Stargaze) should be in more bookstores soon! Working our our 16th, 17th and 18th titles now :-)
I was trying to find a good video and I finally did!! You did a great job! Keep going!! I am going to buy your book as soon as possible
Thanks!
thank you very good.
I have had a Bushnell 🔭 for 25 years with a basic tripod; it’s always done the job for basic stuff.
A few weeks ago, I saw a guy tossing a fully intact TAL1 with EQ mount into the trash. I ended up rescuing it; It needs some TLC, but with no restoration, I still managed to see Saturn and its rings.
…currently restoring it now. Can’t wait to see more
Fun project!
Best video on this so far.
That was the plan!
Perfect explanation 👌
Thank you 🙂
very good info im sure it will helps lots people
I've just brought one of these today..I was buzzing as someone who used it twice and lost interest in it sold it me for a serious bargain price of £30...when I got it home and realised it was way more complicated than just pointing it up at the sky I did think dam maybe I've been abit impulsive but after watching this tutorial I'm actually excited about taking it outside and putting it all into practice as you've just made it seem quite easy really once you get it locked in your head..well and simply explained..thanks..
Glad I could help!
Love seeing a Maritime channel on this! I was recently elected as the president of the astronomy club at the uni I’m attending so I’ve been trying to learn how to use the various telescopes we have. Awesome vid, super helpful.
Thanks! What university?
@@LearnToStargaze UNB
@@woollymammoth6086 great school!
tip - put painters tap on the scope tube and mount rings so you can quickly realign the tube when reassembling after transport. same for weight rod for balance. you never mentioned the "meridian flip"
I can now eq like a boss cheers
5:15 for me i rather use the finder scope
i most of the time keep both eyes open while i look through the finder scope so the narrow field of view is not a disadvantage for me and i highly recommend it try to keep both your eyes open while looking throw the scope you will see star or planet with your normal view but you also see the crosair of the scope and then you cann move it on and after you move it on
I’ll have to try that someday!
Hey mate, ok so I’m in Australia so do you know what Star I should look for while trying to EQ align my telescope I’m a noob
I've watched many EQ mount how to videos, and this is the best.
Now, can you please do one on how to use the setting circles please...pretty please!
I believe I covered that in part 2 of the 70eq video.
How do we see stuff with these mounts when the target is nearly overhead? I find the scope hits the knobs for fine tuning. A Meridian flip doesn’t work in the situation. Do we simply just use it in azimuth in that case?
A quality EQ mount like the Celestron AVX shouldn’t have this problem. EQ mounts priced below $500 will typically have this issue, among others.
Great overview video, thank you! I was expecting the EQ mount to track the selected object *automatically*, without hand controls. But I think it just tracks *correctly* with knob turns. Is that correct? Are there any EQ mounts that track *correctly* with a small motor or motors? Thanks again!!
Yes! Most basic eq mounts have motors. The best small one these days seems to be the Star Adventurer GTI. Clear skies!
Very nice
Really good step by step instruction and illustration for these difficult mounts so many beginners choose. I felt a bit sorry for the people at the end of the video who had to crouch to use the scope. The tripod could have been more accommodating. :)
I saw how you found the moon "over to the west" by loosening the RA and Dec axes.. what if your target is basically straight behind the alignment axis? Can it pivot that far around?
Yes. Pivot the RA 90 degrees and then the Dec will move the scope up and down to the North.
@@LearnToStargaze awesome, thanks. Now all I need is a telescope🤣
I borrowed a Dobson scope and didn't care for it. The tabletop mount was clumsy to carry, and since you can't adjust the height, i couldn't reach the eyepiece. I bought an Orion Observer EQ. I like the cute RA and DEC knobs. They are like toys. The only problem is trying to "drive" the scope. I was looking at neighbor's roofs & seeing what repairs they needed. But good luck getting the scope to turn where I wanted...I sure wish there was a "ball joint" for a telescope. I haven't been able to find Jupiter in the scope yet.
Sounds like you want a basic AZ mount like the Omni AZ or Nat Geo 102.
Awesome ! Just got a 70EQ from an Canadian astronaut friend 🤗 can't wait to use it ! Quick question for the Pole Alignment: if you don't see the North Star because of obstacles, do you point on the True North or the Magnetic North (which for example is 13° West from true north in Ottawa, ON)? 🤔
True north, and then set the altitude dial to your latitude.
Nice bro
My buddy has Newtonian refractor and light buckets, he uses AP products but prefers his Zeiss. I heard from him that Zeiss is better than AP, would you agree?
I’m not familiar with those products.
@@LearnToStargaze Zeiss Manufacturing and Astro-Physics, respectively. They make lenses an other [telescope] components. Might be worth a look?
I don’t have that little sniper scope thingy that looks like a tiny telescope that mounts onto the actual telescope, so is there a better way to look for planets without it?
You need to remove that thing and put on a red dot finder. You don’t so much look for planets though, since you can see them without a telescope, it’s just a matter of pointing at them.
hi I got this as my first telescope recently do you know how to remove the eye piece cap properly because I dont want to break it
You won’t break the eyepiece cap.
How many Thumbs Up can i give to this video??? Super Duper Video, thanks a lot.
You’re welcome!
Hi...once the mount setup is done..If I have focused on a galaxy..lets say orion...now does the eq mount need any additional gear to counter earths rotation if Im taking 100 shots from the attached dslr..each with an exposure of 50 seconds..
What mount are you using? Do you have a motor?
@@LearnToStargaze ...Thanks for your response...
Mount is EQ3 with RA motor..
Will it help??...as I need to stack those images...and If the object doesnt stay centered....the stacking wont help...
@@paragvaghela2012 Have you had any luck so far? I'm not sure that mount is capable of keeping an object stable enough for astrophotography, but I could be wrong. These days, the most popular beginner light-weight astrophotography mount is the Star Adventurer GTI, which has a motor drive in both axis.
@@LearnToStargaze let me check...thanks for your help and quick guidance..
Hey I really enjoyed your instructional video and I learned much more about EQ’s. I recently purchased a Celestron 130EQ and have struggled so much finding the most simplest things, but I am also a beginner. Just to clarify, the Altitude knobs are supposed to match my latitude and not to be changed after that? I’ve been cranking it a lot trying to point the telescope at objects that are high and low in the sky. Was I not supposed to be doing that?
You should not touch the altitude. The scope should move effortlessly along the RA and Dec axes. That said, it might be worth trading that scope for a StarSense 130 DX, which is infinitely more user friendly.
@@LearnToStargaze thank you so much for the reply! Just because I have you here, what are some steps I should keep in mind when trying to point my telescope at Saturn or a celestial body. If it’s not too much to ask, can you give me a simple list of things to do when taking on that task; such as starting with setting the altitude and so forth.
I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!
@@omarahmad3986 As you're searching for targets, make sure the clutch on the RA and Dec axis is loose. When you find your target, like Saturn, lock both clutches. Then, use the slow motion controls to center the target. If the telescope was properly polar aligned (as detailed in the beginning of this video), you should be able to track Saturn across the sky by just turning the RA slow motion control.
@@LearnToStargaze thank you for the explanation and your time. I will get back to you and let you know how it went. Thank you again boss
Great vid. Does the earth rotate around the magnetic north south for polar alignment with a good common compass?
No, the Earth’s spin-axis (North Pole to South Pole) and the magnetic poles are about 500km apart.
@@LearnToStargaze
So using a compass is just for a rough direction before lining up with a polar star?
@@jasonschlencker8108 Basically yes. The pole star is about 0.5 degrees off from the pole, but it's close enough for visual observing. For astrophotography you generally use some sort of electronic assistance to align to the pole.
You activated my HomePod in the next room 😂👍🏻✌🏻🇨🇦
Mission accomplished.
John, I have almost all of your books, but the ones that I like best are your new Messier guide (110...), and your moon book. Only wish you had given the Soviets more credit in the latter. For a decade they had a lot of firsts.
Are you talking about space missions that changed the world? Lots of Soviet missions in that book.
@@LearnToStargaze No, I am talking about the moon book.
I’m in the market for my first go to equatorial mount and was wondering if it would be used for visual until I graduate into astrophotography. When I look all these videos on an equatorial mount moves it seem like it would be awkward to look into eye piece.
That’s one reason why they’re not typically used for visual anymore (at least by beginners). The AM3 or AM5 mount would be an example of a mount that can be used when you graduate to astrophotography.
@@LearnToStargaze What do you think of the Sky-Watcher AZ GTI with the wedge? I know it does not hold a lot of weight due to the ones you have mentioned but it seems like would be a great way to start with a 80mm refractor.
@@petelopez5826 there’s really no need to wedge it anymore since the StarAdveturer GTi has the same mechanisms, but is naturally EQ. I used a 72mm refractor on it, and that was pushing it, but it worked great. You can see that in my Evostar video.
VERY nice........but i have a doubt that why we have to polar align our telescope what is the use of doing that?????
You polar align an EQ mount because it is designed to offset the rotation of the earth. By pointing one axis at the celestial pole, the telescope will rotate at a speed of one revolution per day along that axis, offsetting the spinning earth.
Is the bresser exos 2 any good the cheapest price is £449 and can hold 13.8kg
That looks like a fine mount for a small refractor telescope.
I have a same telescope but my polar adjustment doesn't adjust back it just goes forward and forward idk what to do
Yeah. I get pretty angry at this mount too. Not sure how to help, it’s pretty much the worst design in the history of designs.
Is there a telescope that I can get for my family that we can see the planets good I have a 70 400 with a 10 mm and 25mm and 3x Barlow wanting a better view and more stable
Personally, I find planets best viewed with a MAK or SCT style telescope. These are typically more expensive, especially since they mostly come on computerized mounts, but if you like close up views of the planets, these are the way to go. Personally, I have a celestron C8 on an AVX mount, and for travel, I use a a C90 on an AZ-GTI mount.
Hey mate btw what is better the bresser 150-750 omegon 150/750 or skywatcher 150/750 ask me
What do you think?
Idk because the skywatcher has goto but the others don’t but you can’t attach it to them soo idk my brain has turned into a peanut btw I love your eq tutorial :D
is a 127 mm mak recommended for plane spotting and birding? im fed up of my 25x binocs
Yes, that is a popular design for a spotting scope of you can handle the high magnification.
💐💐💐💐Thanks to you
Is celestrone starsense explorer 114 is better or powerseeker? For a beginner
They both share the same poor bird jones optical system.
@@LearnToStargaze could you recommend a telescope for beginner but not more than 300?
@@ashkanrmp7442 I’ve listed some options on n the homepage of LearnToStargaze.com. There is the Omni 102 from Costco. The Orion Skyscanner for kids. the best would probably be the Starsense Dobsonian Tabletop (currently $349).
I had to buy the CG-4 and hope my scope doesn't shake on it like it does on my Twilight One AZ because it is too long for the vixen clamp to hold steady unless pointing up about 70 degrees or better. I've used a too small EQ before that was pathetic. I do not want to spend $1500 for a go-to electronic scope.
I can find things using my planisphere and Star Atlas. Bortle 2 sky makes it easier and belonging to an astronomy club.
I received my CG-4 and my 6" scope is solid on it. Celestron sent a thick booklet I thought would be general directions in several languages, but no. It was a very good instruction manual right down to even explaining how to use the setting rings in RA and DEC all in English. The polar scope had very good instructions too. I'm impressed with the detail.
If u keep the latitude setting at the height of Polaris then how can you aim it to a star higher than that ?
The latitude (aka altitude) axis never moves during operation. The declination axis moves the telescope towards, or away from, Polaris. The RA axis moves around Polaris, allowing the telescope to point anywhere in the sky.
Perhaps my question should be rephrased, how can you aim the telescope to view stars higher than Polaris if you lock it in for only 45degrees at my location ?
@@rebstw6305 I don't understand the question. An eq telescope as four axis. Even with two locked, you can point anywhere in the sky without issue.
I ended up getting a nice Meade telescope with this kind of mount for $15. It didn’t have eye pieces so I bought an adapter I found in a forum and then new eye pieces… but this mount has me all thrown off
I point to north at the right latitude, however, I can't aim to a target without the bottom moving
Yeah, I had to twist the knob on the bottom pretty hard to get it to stop moving.
Thank you. I was simply not understanding a sheet of using this. Kkkk
Oops.. was hoping you would go over the set up but oi guess I’ll have to find that somewhere else
I sort of cover the set up in the Astromaster 70eq video part 1 and part 2.
I wish someone had explained all this to me a few years ago. My telescope collected dust and then I threw it away. Fast forward a few more years, I ordered a refractin telescope. I think every beginner (including me) should start there. No collimation, no eq.
Once you have everything polar aligned, how do you look at celestial bodies in a southern sky if you can't adjust the azimuth?
The declination axis moves the scope away from the north celestial pole. It will move all the way to the southern sky.
@@LearnToStargaze got it. Thanks!
@@LearnToStargaze also, I have a German EQ mount and in addition to the declination and RA axes, The entire amount rotates on a hinge-type of system. Do you know what that's for? It rotates the entire scope horizontally about 90°
@@PARANOlDDROlD that’s the altitude. We covered that in the video.
@@LearnToStargaze duh lol, sorry I didn't realize it was one and the same. Thanks again!
**Also that Zeiss no longer makes amateur products
Hey hi. What about southern hemisphere?
You point it at the south celestial pole. I would just point the scope directly South using phone compass, and then set the latitude dial. That should be close enough for visual observations. The challenge is there is no bright star at the south celestial pole.
@@LearnToStargaze I thought so… :-( I’m not at all experienced with telescopes (yet!) but I’m studying it. I suppose the after initial setup of eq mount we can fine tune it quite reasonably, right? On the same note: reaching perfect setup would also be very hard and only noticeable for extremely high magnifications, am I right?
I feel like those eq1/ eq2 mounts are just so bad they are more a source of frustration for newbies than anything.. a couple in my club were trying to figure out their eq2, I tried helping them by adjusting it and showing them how to use an EQ mount.. I found it practically unusable.. I ended up just giving them an old vixen Polaris I had and it was like night and day for them.. a person struggling with one of those mounts might not have any problems with EQ mounts, just crappy ones.
I own an EQ1 and yes, it is a kind of a crap. BUT! I bought it with a cheap 60/700 refractor for 1/5 of the price from a frustrated newbie :-) as a way to learn the EQ mount basics. Yes, it is wobly and I must put a brick on the tripod to make it stable I use it as a grab´n´go setup if I am lazy (or in time pressure) and I usually observe the Sun with it. If one does not expect much from it he will not be dissapointed.
Dobsonians and AZ mounts are best for the beginners.
@@zamorskymisa I just find them terrible to use . It's not fun.. meanwhile I have several old but good quality manual EQ mounts that I personally maintain. They are an absolute pleasure to use. Smooth, the slow motion controls work beautifully, very stable, etc. I have a Vixen Polaris and a Super Polaris both are wonderful, then I have a CG5 and a Stellarvue m4 that are pretty good as well .. it's just a shame they don't package these scopes with beefier mounts, it would really benefit newbies
Wrestling with a German equatorial mount ain't that easy for a beginner trying to find M92 using the Alt/Az, HA/Dec values from Stellarium.
Yeah, I don’t think anyone has attempted to use that method since the 1960’s.
I always disagree with the "get a dobsonian" advice. My recommendation is usually "if you're really into astronomy, get an eq mount. Is it challenging? Perhaps, at the beginning. But once you learn how to operate it, it's going to save you tons of time looking for objects in the sky. If you're a "casual" (just for the lack of a better word; Im not an English speaker) and you're only interested on looking a couple objects occasionally, then yes, definitely get a dobson and save yourself a lot of money.
EQ mounts are astronomy repellent. They keep people away from the hobby. It’s 10x more challenging to find a target with an EQ mount (assuming it’s not computerized).
@@LearnToStargaze So maybe it's just me, but I find it sooo much easier to find any target using coordinates. Anyways, clear skies.
That Powerseeker wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for all the slop in that mount! Look at it flexing and wobbling .. yikes!
I can confirm. I have one. When you think you see something, everything slightly shifts and nudges and you loose it very easily :(
it doesnt work for me, the powerseeker mount is terrible quality and doesnt work well
That’s why astronomers subtly warn people about powerseekers so folks don’t accidentally purchase them.
@@LearnToStargaze I know, I bought it thinking it was good before I started watching the channel. I mean they market them as good, but its bad.
@@LearnToStargaze hey quick question, I found a decent tripod and mount for the powerseeker 80mm eq. its about 120 usd since i have a gift card, its usally 250 usd. do u think I should replace the mount and tripod and use it for a few months until I buy my 10" dob???
@@bxdxdudie8131 Wait for the dob. A 10 inch dob will provide a lifetime of incredible experiences. 5 years after I bought my dob, I quit my job and got a degree in astrophysics. I think there's a correlation there.
@@LearnToStargaze yeah I understand, but i need a telescope thats usable ASAP, im not gonna be able to get the dob now, in 4-6 months i will get it. But i need a usable scope ASAP.
1ظ1
World is flat globballers. Wake up and start to think
If that were true, this telescope literally would not function.
@@LearnToStargaze wrong
@@finders829 If you put this telescope on the roof of your cars, and drove north or south, keeping the telescope pointed at a celestial pole, the telescope would display your exact latitude on its altitude dial. You could drive anywhere on Earth and this would be objectively true, and this ONLY works since the Earth is a sphere. This fact is literally indisputable.
@@LearnToStargaze correct, but wrong
I'm glad you made the video, but why, why, why does everyone have to spend so many words on irrelevant stuff? I don't care that you prefer dobsonians. I'm here to learn about an EQ mount. Another guy spends ten minutes explaining how to use a waterpass and a third guy wants to make sure I can find Polaris..... >.< As a teacher, I'd say: Stick to the point.
Because we don’t want people to actually buy one of these telescopes. This video is for people who accidentally bought one.
Hi. I have a question ❓ I will be buying a telescope soon 🔭 I am on a budget what is the best one l should get? 🤔 Thanks 🙏 🌌
I have many videos on this topic.
You didn’t say if it was a high budget, or a low budget. I get a lot of people who says they’re on a budget, and then say that budget is $2000.
I never realized just how WRONG I've been using my EQ lol. This should make it much less frustrating!
Thank you so much it was so useful. I now know how to use it!🤏