What is the difference between a Dobsonian and equatorial mount?

Telescopes are used to explore and observe the night sky. When choosing a telescope, it is important to consider the type of mount it uses, as it can affect how easy it is to use and what you can observe. Two common types of telescope mounts are Dobsonian and equatorial mounts.

A Dobsonian mount is a simple and inexpensive mount that is easy to use. It is a type of altazimuth mount, which means it moves vertically and horizontally. Dobsonian mounts are known for their stability and can support larger telescopes. They are best suited for visual observing and are not ideal for astrophotography.

An equatorial mount, on the other hand, is designed for both visual observing and astrophotography. It uses a polar axis that is aligned with the Earth's axis of rotation. This allows the mount to track the stars as they move across the sky, making it easier to observe objects for longer periods of time. Equatorial mounts can be more complex and expensive than Dobsonian mounts, but they offer greater precision and flexibility.