Expert: Paul Wagner - 7/20/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hey,
I am building a dobsonian telescope and i like everything except the mount so can i build a dobsonian telescope on an
equatorial mount?and how?

ANSWER: HI Hady

It's hard to put a dobsonian scope on an equatorial mount, because these scopes are designed to withstand stresses in only a few directions...and the equatorial mount would change those. The real challenge is the side bearings of the scope...

I suggest that you look at equatorial platforms as a solution.  They will give you many of the advantages of an equatorial mount, and will work perfectly with the dobsonian telescope.  

Paul Wagner

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Can i later add a tracking motor or a GOTO tracking motor?

ANSWER: Hi Hady

The equatorial platform will come with a tracking motor, so that won't be a problem.  The GOTO technology requires that you also install some encoders on your two axes--that will be more difficult for you to do at home, for any dobson scope. Unless you are really a good engineer, I would leave that for the professionals

Paul Wagner

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: All equatorial platforms are for over a 1000 $ so can you please help me find cheaper ones or tell where i can find a place to help me build one?

Answer
HI Hady

There a lots of plans for these platforms on the internet;  Here are three sites that should hlep you!

http://www.tomhole.com/EQ%20Platform.htm

http://www.atmsite.org/contrib/Shaw/platform/

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/molyned/the_equatorial_platform.htm

Paul Wagner