Editing Telescope mount (section)

== Equatorial mounts ==
[[Image:Stuetzmontierung.jpg|thumb|Equatorial mount (Stützmontierung) devised by [[Alfred Jensch]]]]
{{Main|Equatorial mount}}

The equatorial mount has north-south "polar axis" tilted to be parallel to Earth's polar axis that allows the telescope to swing in an east-west arc, with a second axis perpendicular to that to allow the telescope to swing in a north-south arc. Slewing or mechanically driving the mount's polar axis in a counter direction to the Earth's rotation allows the telescope to accurately follow the motion of the night sky. Equatorial mounts come in different shapes, include [[German equatorial mount]]s (GEM in short), equatorial [[Equatorial mount#Fork mount|fork mount]]s, mixed variations on [[Equatorial mount#English or Yoke mount|yoke]] or [[Equatorial mount#Cross-axis mount|cross-axis]] mounts, and [[equatorial platform]]s such as the [[Poncet Platform]].

Tilting the polar axis adds a level of complexity to the mount. Mechanical systems have to be engineered to support one or both ends of this axis (such as in fork or yoke mounts). Designs such as German equatorial or cross axis mounts also need large counter weights to counterbalance the mass of the telescope. Larger domes and other structures are also needed to cover the increased mechanical size and range of movement of equatorial mounts. Because of this, equatorial mounts become less viable in very large telescopes and have been pretty much replaced by altazimuth mounts for those applications.