„TS-Optics EQ1 Astrotracker“ - kelioninis kalnas astrofotografijai

EQ1 Beginner´s Mount for Astrophotography

Teleskop-Service has put together an attractive set for you, with which you can start into the adventure of astrophotography without having to invest vast amounts of money in an astrophotographic mount or in a tracking platform. The set includes everything you need to take beautiful photos of the night sky with your camera. Make aesthetic deep-sky photos of our galaxy, capture open star clusters, gas nebulae, or even other galaxies shining through the star curtain of our Milky Way.

All you need is your camera, for example an SLR (DSLR), system camera or an astro camera. The mount can carry up to 2 kg and, if well positioned, will track up to 200 mm focal length without problems, even for several minutes. The precise control with a quartz-controlled stepper motor ensures precise tracking (compensation of the earth´s rotation).

The camera or camera lens is simply attached to the mount via the 1/4" photo screw. Balance it with the counterweight and you are ready to go.

This is how easy it is to operate the EQ1 astrophoto mount:

All you need to know is that the declination axis is the extension of the rod where the counterweight hangs. The right ascension axis is the other axis, which is also driven by the motor.

♦ Mount the camera on the mount.
♦ Rotate the declination axis until the camera is looking exactly in the same direction as the right ascension axis.
♦ Then loosen the screw on the bottom of the mount and adjust the mount until the right ascension axis is pointing exactly north. A compass is quite helpful here.
♦ Finally, adjust the polar block of the mount and accept the north latitude of your location.
♦ Now you should see the polar star in the camera viewfinder.

This polar alignment is sufficient to start the adventure of astrophotography. Start with about 60 seconds exposure time. You will be astonished what your camera can show. The more exactly you align the mount to the north, the longer you can expose.

The batteries last extremely long. But if you use the mount longer near a building, you can also resort to an external power supply, for example the linked Netz1A. The socket on the hand control is meant for a coaxial power connector plug 5.5/2.1 mm, tip positive. The voltage must not noticeably exceed 6 volts, while undervoltage is well tolerated.

Technical Data:

• Type:Equatorial mount
• Weight:approx. 5 kg with tripod
• Tracking:Stepper motor tracking system with controller
• Tripod height:continuously adjustable from 83 cm to 140 cm