Non computerized mount

[Paboy46]

Hello everyone.  I was wondering if you need a computerized telescope for AP.

[Ibbo!]

No, but it will be easier.

You will want one capable of tracking the stars ie motorised.

[Demonperformer]

As Steve says, the mount needs to track automatically.

In addition, depending on how long you want your subs (individual exposures) to be, it will need the ability to guide so that any imperfections in the mount get corrected.

How well do you know the sky? A computerised mount will enable you to go straight to the object you want to image rather than having to find it. However, this 'computerisation' can be added using a laptop running Cartes du Ciel (a free planetarium program) and EQMOD (another free program - or rather suit of programs - that enables your mount to talk to your laptop and visa versa).

[Bizibilder]

It depends on what you want to photograph!  For long exposure deep sky imaging a driven equatorial mount is pretty much essential and computer control/guiding is just a step further that makes life a lot easier.  Goto also helps even if only as a time saver - it can be tricky finding "invisible" objects against a black background .  For Solar, Lunar and planetary imaging computer control is not necessary as long as you can keep them in the field of view long enough to capture your images.  Even a planet drifting across the field of view of a non-motorised scope can be captured.  It just makes things very difficult - but it can be done.

Overall an equatorial mount with at least motor drive makes life so much easier!!