equatorial mount

American  

noun

1. Astronomy. a telescope mount with two perpendicular axes, one of them revolving around an axis parallel to that of the rotation of the earth, with its revolution able to be driven by a motor at the same rate as that of the diurnal motion of the celestial object of interest, permitting longer viewing.

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equatorial mount Scientific  

1. A mounting for astronomical telescopes having two axes, one of which revolves about an axis that is parallel to the axis of the Earth's rotation. This axis can be driven by a motor at a rate equal to the diurnal motion of the celestial object being viewed, allowing the telescope to keep the object in view for long periods without adjustment. The other axis, perpendicular to the first, has free movement that allows the telescope to be pointed anywhere in the sky.

2. Compare altazimuth mount

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