How to use an Equatorial Mount for Beginners

[@anja2716]

I just learnt more from this nine minute video than from hours of endless manuals, loads of other channels and instructional videos and my novice self teachings . THANK YOU!

[@Dirt33breaks]

I must have watched about 10 videos on how to use my EQ mount. And none of them explain things as clearly as you! Now I finally understand!! Awesome video thanks alot!

[@MichaelBernardo]

Daniel nugent Thanks for the positive feedback. I'm glad you liked my video. :)

[@JOHNNYALVES13]

I'm struggling for some time now with my equatorial mount and now everything makes sense and looks so simple and easy, thank you so much for the quality content!!

[@orthonormality]

I'm on vacation with access to an equatorial mounted telescope and this has been a lifesaver. Thank you!

[@richardberry8830]

Michael, one picture is worth a thousand words. Your video is worth a million words! Thank you for identifying key phrases like "Right Ascension" as most forums ignorantly assume you know what RA stands for. Your demonstration of the Polaris axis is also another gem. Thanks for your work.

[@boonskis]

Best explanation of the equatorial mount I've seen and I'm only 7 minutes in. Thank you! Very nice work.

[@thesacramentan]

Very thorough and far more informative than reading a manual. Watched it twice. Thank you for posting this.

[@MichaelBernardo]

thesacramentan I appreciate your comment and I'm glad you found it informative. Thanks for watching and clear skies to you!

[@tylerworrell3003]

I just got a telescope with an equatorial mount. it's my first telescope. this is definitely a helpful video!

[@copper12heavy69]

Best explanation for amateurs that I've seen. "More time observing than adjusting". That pretty much sums it up for me too. I'm going to get one. Thank you.

[@navygirlhmcm]

Michael, thanks so much for explaining this! I just got my first telescope a week ago (Celestron 127EQ) and I have been EXTREMELY frustrated. Hopefully, tonight's viewing will be a little better!

[@suban2163]

How did it go?

[@SheltonDCruz]

@@suban2163 probably didn't go too well.

[@velarmnt]

@@SheltonDCruz considering its the 127 shes talking about you're probably right

[@harsha6937]

@@velarmnt 127 eq haver here That shit is tough as fuc*

[@BigTinkerer1]

Good Job Michael. This will be one of those videos that will last forever on KZbin. Very concise explaination, with professional description of how it works with a little humor thrown in, Well done.

[@Mosin54r]

Thank you for the plain speak explanation. I too bought a Celestron 127 eq, I thought I knew what I was doing and eventually just put it away in the corner of the den after I couldn't sight anything. This video made all so much sense, and thank you for using layman's term

[@abhijitchakraborty1901]

The best explanation about an equatorial mount I have ever come across. Thank you so much.

[@MichaelBernardo]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@justinrieth5789]

I am new to the terminology and concepts, and this was super helpful for me in visualizing the spatial arrangement of star motion relative to telescope axis and how the two mounts differ in their abilities to account for it. Thank you very much!

[@Марк.Фетнов]

Clear and easy to understand, about 2 minutes into the video where you showed the equatorial grid on stellarium.. I got it! Thanks Michael.

[@squaretomato]

Very enlightening on the difference between azimuth and equatorial mounts. Before watching this video, that previous sentence I just wrote would have been a complete mystery.

[@HollomanUFOLanding]

Fantastic video, Michael, thank you so much for all the work in making this. It really has helped me. I would say this is the best video about equatorial mount motion on the net, great job. Hope you are well, please start making your videos again!

[@MichaelBernardo]

You're very welcome!

[@awittypilot8961]

Michael...this is one of the best tutorials on using an equatorial mount. I bought an 8" Mead and it came with no instructions of any kind. The way you explained and demonstrated on the computer open my eyes and answered several questions I had. One thing maybe I could ask? I don't understand how it could follow any line without the deck of the tripod leveled as possible. Isn't that true? Thanks for your work...I'm very impressed.....smart young fellow with a great outlook

[@patrickhughes4977]

Thanks! Great video. Equatorial mounts have always frustrated me so I tended to avoid them. Then I got one as a gift. Thanks for explaining everything so I can use it correctly now.

[@skandhaprasath2767]

This might be the best explanation on the Internet in 2021. Love it.. thanks a lot

[@KarldorisLambley]

Fantastic video. I bought my first 'scope 2 weeks ago (a v cheap one with AZ mount from amazon) I absolutely love it, but I have already outgrown it, as it were, and I am looking to buy a 130mm aperture model with an EQ mount next week. I have been having a hard time getting my head around RA and D and how the EQ mount will work. That is until I saw this video, now it all makes perfect sense, I really am so profoundly grateful for this vid. Cheers

[@kristoffernor897]

Cheers buddy. Just got the Skywatcher 130 eq2 for my 30th birthday and this video helped a lot with my observing

[@Dumpytrumpy2066]

In the last few days I’ve watched a dozen videos on this subject but this one is really the facts and explanation of the facts in perfection!!!! Thanks so so much!!!!!! Subscribed!

[@luisbeltran7422]

This is as clear as it gets. Thank you for explaining what's zenith and polar alignment as well as the graphics for right ascension and declination.

[@megaasdfgh1]

Thanks for this Demo. I got a scope and Cg-4 equatorial mount yesterday. So excited to use it for the first time, but I quickly found out I didn't have the knowledge or experience to use it correctly. This video helped a lot and restored some of my confidence in my choice.

[@jerzbound]

thanks for posting this video. i'm a new star gazer here in New Jersey. I found your tutorial very easy to follow regarding right ascension and declination. i believe your sticker idea on the turn knob is a good suggestion for me!!

[@TheGrdngurl]

Thank you SO much! I am a new telescope user and I was lost! You have set me on the right path, thank you!

[@MichaelBernardo]

TheGrdngurl Great, I'm glad I could help.

[@PalebobUK]

6 years on and this video is still helping people, thanks! 👍

[@bobjohnson6371]

Have had my scope, celestron 130 eq, for a couple years. using a Equatorial Mount . Never really understood it until now. Impatient i guess, lol . Thanks for posting this video, helped a lot. Now that I'm retired, have some more time to play with it. Plus my grandson is really into planets, figured it was time for grandpa to get educated on this..

[@peterandersson4295]

Will be bying a high end scope with an eq mount in the near future. Having an alt az mount currently, I simply could not wrap my head around and understand how an eq mount moves and work. Now I understand how it moves according to the earths rotation. Thank you for a good and straight forward explanation.

[@jimshowtovideos]

finally found a video with a good teacher, thanks.

[@bssunil]

Fantastic. Never understood EQ more clearly than this video

[@nishantpatil61]

this video is about 6 yrs old. Still, great video compared to other videos. thank you for creating this video, Michael.

[@disregardingsanity2890]

Your Hulk plug regarding the initial frustration was spot on! But your video is informative and made understanding a lot easier! Thank you for posting!

[@gleizerg]

Nice piece of EQ mount you got there. Are those still available today with slow motion knobs and optional motors? I only see a motorized EQ mounts that are very expensive for a weight that would carry at least 8" reflector with finder scope and a good EP. What is your experience on this issue?

[@jgreenler]

Michael, thank you so much. This was an excellent overview. I have had several "Hulk" moments with my equatorial mount (spacial relations are not my strong suit). I'm feeling re-energized to go try it again tonight! Thanks, again for sharing.

[@MichaelBernardo]

Jeff Greenler Hi Jeff, I just saw your comment now. Thanks for commenting. I'm glad you were motivated to try it again. I hope you had some success.

[@Markinpuff]

Nice intro guide! You should do a beginners guide on rough aligning your EQ mount to the pole, otherwise tracking will be inconsistent. Leveling Scope Balancing telescope in Dec/RA Cone error correction Latitude adjustment And aligning the scope to Polaris. I believe when I understood these steps my enjoyment improved immensely. Unfortunately, as you get more into it you wind up getting a GoTo scope that basically does all of this for you, which is a shame because learning how to do it manually is so very satisfying. Using astronomy apps on your phone like Sky Safari would make learning so much easier. There’s nothing harder than finding a dim Messier object manually, but what a thrill it is when you learn to do it consistently.

[@davidhunter2824]

You explained how to use a equatorial mount beautifully. Thank you very much.

[@leyburnhealeyman]

I've a Skywatcher EQ 3 Synscan, at 78 years old my first computerised mount. I've been asking various experts various questions, one of which is something that you have confirmed my thoughts on, where others say it doesn't matter.. The mount has a polar scope, but I'm anticipating that this may cause the scope not to be centred on Polaris as a mater of course, RA of course is easy to sort out, but declination in the home position is set by use of the polar scope, which may or may not be aligned exactly with scope. In the case of not, I intend adding jacking screws to both ends of my dovetail bar so that the declination can be altered on the scope only to achieve what you showed us in your video with Polaris in view as you rotated the scope, (about 7 mins in). It's my view that with the scope in alignment with the polar scope, and of course the mount level I then have a far. better chance of the synscan finding the objects that I search for without hopefully resorting to plate solving.As a retired precision engineer I think I have a good understanding of the need for accuracy an all things to get the best from them. I've a feeling you'll agree with my thoughts and intentions, though if not I'd be interested in your own thoughts. :)

[@kirbystarnino4199]

I was gifted a telescope on a mount like this one, already assembled. Could not understand for the life of me what was so wrong with it until your video. The Declination knob was attached to where the Right Ascension Motor would be. So I'm twisting both knobs and the telescope was just curving. Well...thats one problem solved thanks to your video lol

[@terachristian5732]

I bought my Daughter a Celestron AstroMaster 114 EQ 4.5 Equatorial Reflector last year for her birthday, we have never figured out how to use it. i was so overwhelmed. Her birthday is here again and I want to be able to finally use it with her. So far I have learned that I need to adjust to our latitude, balance right ascension and declination, then align to celestial pole (which this part really intimidates me). So...wish me luck please!Any words you have for me I will fully embrace!

[@beachmasterX]

Hope you figured it out, a friend is going thru the same thing. After 3hrs we couldn't even see his neighbor's house, which is about 1/8mile away all lit up. Luckily I had my easy telescope so we saw some things. Neither one of us had ever used this style telescope before.

[@donrobinson7871]

Thanks Michael. Your idea of the Hulk frustration was exactly what I experienced when trying to understand Ra and Dec. Now I think I am on board. Looking forward to more videos of yours. Regards. Don

[@MichaelBernardo]

Don Robinson You're welcome and I'm glad it helped.

[@davethurlow6677]

Just ordered my first telescope with an EQ. This was helpful. Thanks.

[@rotad9967]

Good video. Just got a Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker, my first telescope ever. This video really helped me get started. Thanks a lot!!!

[@GazinGeezer]

I am positive you have contributed to many peoples understanding of the different mounts for telescopes. I am one of the most rank of beginners but am studying which type to get to support a scope I want. Thank you so very much for your actual instruction and your explanations. Will be valuable the rest of my life!

[@earlsandersjr.2023]

Just wanna say it was a good video. I'm a beginner and I learned a lot. I start out with a equatorial mount information that you stated in your video was very helpful. Thanks again

[@NewAstronomer]

Waxy Parsnips Thanks for watching. Assuming that your finder scope is already aligned, I suspect that you're using too much power. Use the lowest powered eyepiece first and then adjust the focuser. Let me know if that works.

[@herbertimarone7989]

Thanks Michael, I am new to telescopes and the information you provided was great. I am starting with two scopes. Powerseeker 127 EQ I received as a gift, and the Meade LXD 75 6" Telescope I purchased on e-bay. I just ordered the CG-4 mount to give me better stability.

[@venom1512]

You have articulated very well Michael. Appreciate your coaching. Keep enlightening.

[@kharnethebetrayer4125]

Ive just got an equatorial mount, and it does look a bit intimidating. But cant wait to get to grips with it, i know its going to take awhile to learn how to use it properly, but im going to have fun while i try.

[@big-ste]

Well, that's cleared that up, thanks Michael. I'd worked out why it was like that but I couldn't figure out how to operate properly. Twiddling both knobs, etch-a-sketch style, I was able to follow objects but they move too fast, it's sooo much easier to track an object in a single axis. And obviously the markings only make sense if you set it up right in the first place but again, I didn't know how to do that. Nice video. Nice Telescope!

[@MichaelBernardo]

Steve Thomas Thanks for the positive comment.

[@Bs_bg]

this was the most helpful telescope video I could find

[@eriknelson432]

Great info for a novice like me,. I just scored a Orion 130 st EQ. More complicated than I was looking for but I couldn't pass on it. Looking forward to seeing more of your vids.

[@dacypher22]

I just got my first telescope last Friday and starting on THAT DAY we are looking at perhaps a record-setting level of cloudiness and rain that is going to last for at least the next 10 days. This is killing me! Excellent video, though. I was kind of worried about having gotten an equitorial mount for my first telescope but I am feeling better about it now.

[@Lmarcanov1978]

Thanks a lot Michael!!! I'm less ignorant now. Your explanation was very visual.

[@wesleydonnelly2141]

Hey Michael! Thank-you for explaining the Eq. mount to me bro! I'm a newbie and still learning, and you finally helped me understand these Eq. mounts! Great vid, and best wishes with the channel. From Liverpool, UK ( Home to the Beetles Music Band of the 60's/Liverpool Football Club/Everton Football Club. Please try come visit our great City some time in your life bro! )

[@chetmarcotti4953]

Excellent presentation,sir. I am a somewhat an amateurish user. So this is just the kind of sharing session. Just plain awesome. Chet, in NH

[@MichaelBernardo]

Thanks for watching. I have moved to my new channel at "New Astronomer" found here: www.youtube.com/@NewAstronomer

[@davidrockefeller2007]

I've watched so many astronomy videos on so many subjects and Michaels are so easy to understand compared to the others. Thanks for your hard work Michael!

[@jaydavis761]

I learned so much in a very short period of time. Thank you SO much, this was super helpful.

[@PeaceIsJesusChrist]

I am wanting to understand equitorial mounts, and this video is exactly what I was hoping to find! You explained it so clearly and made it so easy to understand! Thank you so much!! :)

[@windh]

Great vid. Just got my first Eq. mount telescope for my birthday, and this was a lot clearer than the manual. Thanks.

[@tedwilliams3875]

Great Video and well laid out for those who do not fully understand. I know how frustrating it was my first time out. Now thankfully we have EQ Goto Mounts :) Makes it a whole lot easier.

[@NewAstronomer]

That's true. My first mount was a refractor on a goto mount and I was observing within a few minutes.

[@srijandey9394]

How simply u described right ascension and declanation thanks a lot 👍

[@MichaelBernardo]

Thanks for watching. I have moved to a new channel called "New Astronomer" found here: www.youtube.com/@NewAstronomer

[@carlriley6403]

Great video you have a very good teaching demeanor and it is my hope that you will do many more videos. I am thinking about purchasing my very first telescope and it is very confusing trying to figure out the one to purchase. Do you think maybe you could do a video on purchasing very first telescope, I think that you would do a great job, and again thanks for the video.

[@demofactory]

I know this is an older video, but it was exactly what I needed!!!! Thank you so much for this wonderful and well detailed explanation. I just subbed and liked!!!

[@lanceflanagan]

I've just ordered my first telescope and it comes with one of these mounts. This vid will help!

[@MichaelBernardo]

Lance Flanagan I'm glad the video helped. Thanks for watching.

[@brainwashingdetergent4322]

What brand of mount is that at 0:03 seconds? I bought one off of eBay that looks just like that, but he doesn’t know what it is, and I’m completely new to this and don’t know either.

[@christopherclegg3845]

This is very helpful, one newbie question, what if what you want to view is in the south sky, are you able to adjust the declaration once aligned, if not how do you repoint the scope and still be polar aligned?

[@wjpn1952]

Very concise and informative. Just one question, where can I get the RA motor drive featured in the video? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@pablocallejo1616]

Thanks Mike, this was very informative! I just purchased an Orion Atlas 10 eq-g mount telescope and I am trying to figure out all these details. Thanks again. Pablo

[@Intheskyes1]

That was an amazing demonstration. Just received a eq mount so it was extremely helpful. Thank you!

[@mikegordonbrasov161]

Thanks. Could you tell me if the telescope suffers a lot of damage if I want to observe from the seashore? I say this because of the salinity that can affect the lenses. Is there a trick to protect it and be able to go anyway?

[@trainroomgary]

Good stuff & demo, I use a German Equatorial Mount, but a refractor telescope. Celestron Omni XLT 120. • Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂

[@MichaelBernardo]

+trainroomgary Awesome. Thanks for your feedback.

[@filipporubino1917]

trainroomgary

[@jekiJJ]

2:22 in which program did you edit the image of the galaxy?

[@3807baldwin]

Yes I agree . Best explanation of EQ concept I seen, I enjoy your video reference for explaining.

[@morningstar7009]

1:09 The way he chased the eyepiece.... Its hilarious...😂

[@dhruvmaheshwari1755]

I have a celestron motor drive for this mount and it had speed adjustment. How should I know if I should reduce or increase it for keeping the subject in frame?

[@ethancheng1595]

Thanks Michael. You explained it in the most concise way. You just saved me days of frustration!

[@BTC_DNA]

Great video, buddy! You connected a lot of dots for me. Thank you for taking the time to put this together for us!

[@MichaelBernardo]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@MrTmq40]

Great video. Very informative for someone like me who’s new to the hobby. Thanks!

[@mixindave1]

hi great video. i could do with some scope advice. yesterday i seen saturn and the rings for the first time ever using a cheap 80/800 £40 telescope and i was blown away even though it was just a dot i could clearly see the rings :) . im looking to upgrade to something thats more entry level instead of being a flimsy half way toy lol. my budget is around £150 which would get me something like a celestron 90mm refractor or a 130mm reflector, which of the two would you recommend? i also live in quite a big town with some light pollution but was able to see saturn really well. im just on the fence between the two scopes :/

[@MichaelBernardo]

mixindave1 If you're into planetary objects, then the 90mm refractor is a better choice for you. Good luck!

[@bobskidmore5034]

Excellent video and one of if not the best presentation I have ever seen. Thank you. I have subscribed :)

[@anthonywarwick6090]

Top video. Great haircut too. Very good job of communicating this for us thank you 🙏

[@obiwanshinobi87]

Just ordered a Skyline Pro 105... Now I am binge watching every tips and tricks video on youtube

[@joecolee466]

Thanks for the great video. I just found a Galileo g102md2 and I'm confused about the polar alignment. After doing the polar alignment and with Polaris in the eyepiece, I'm not sure what the setting circles should read. My planetarium program says Polaris is at declination of 89 which is good but it says ra should be roughly 2 1/2 hours. Should I zero my dial at 2 1/2 or should it be at zero? Thanks

[@raulpittavino9082]

Very clear explanation! Thank you Michael!

[@exsollertan7366]

Excellent explanation. very clear. Thank you Michael

[@dallascrofton5957]

Hi this is very well explained i use to do astronomy alot im Dallas from Gloucestershire i mainly use binoculars now so i got the advantage of both eyes to i love to see saturn which was also my favorite very well explained.

[@WisdomSpeak1]

What a fantastic teacher you have been. Since this vid was produced 9 years ago, I'm curious what professional field did go into?

[@MichaelBernardo]

Sorry for the late reply. I have moved to a new channel called "New Astronomer" found here: www.youtube.com/@NewAstronomer And to answer your question, I'm an IT project manager :)

[@Rookblunder]

Excellent video and explanation. This helped me a lot in deciding and understanding to get an equatorial mount one day. I say one day because I'm using a 15x70 binocs atm with alt/azm triopod. Future Telescope will certainly go with an equatorial mount.

[@jasonschlencker8108]

Great vid. Does the earth rotate around the magnetic north south for polar alignment with a good common compass?

[@miguelcaston2548]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks. Clear and to the point. Excellent.

[@PTNLemay]

Thank you for this. To the point, but thorough.

[@bluespruce786]

Great video, thanks for posting! What mount and telescope is that? Looks like it has a nice action.

[@hammitang3427]

thanks a lot. finally i got a very clear concept about this type of telescope.

[@southernexposure123]

Thank you for making this video. Your explanation and illustrations answered some questions I had and give me a better understanding of the process than several other videos I watched.

[@MichaelBernardo]

***** I'm glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@mikegordonbrasov161]

excelent! One question please: I just bought a new skywatcher120/1000 rig with equatorial neq5 and I'm still learning the equatorial (before it had a 70mm with altaz mount. Once I managed to put it in parking position (orient the tripod to the north with a quality compass, level the tripod , level right ascension and level declination and adjust latitude of Madrid), can I consider that I am aligned with the polar? even if it is fake alignment? because sometimes you want to see the moon during the day or because there is something that does not allow you to see the polar. And Would you know how many degrees you have to deviate to true north in the location of Madrid, since the compass will indicate magnetic north?

[@MyNameIsNobody57]

@3:40 The zenith is an imaginary point directly above your current location. The zenith is always at the same point and does not change regardless of how a telescope is mounted, or what grid reference system you are using in a planetarium software program.

[@iprimoonanollie2598]

he knows, just trying to keep it simple

[@idromano]

Thank you! This "sky math" thing has always been difficult for me but this vid really helped! I still gotta figure out how to do that here on the southern hemisphere. Thanks again!

[@nancychr]

Great video, I have a 8" dobsonian, is there any way to change the mount to eq while using the same tube? Or should I get a new telescope?