Altazimuth mount

Altazimuth or azimuthal mount is the simplest type of astronomical Fernrohrmontierung at which the telescope can be about a vertical axis and a horizontal tilt axis pivot in all directions. Its counterpart is the equatorial mount, in which the primary axis is not vertical, but aligned parallel to the axis of the earth.

The name altazimuth, which is abbreviated in English as well Altaz is made up of old for Altitude ( elevation angle ) and azimuth (horizontal angle ).

Azimuthal mounts are commonly used due to their rugged, simple construction since antiquity for astronomical and geodetic instruments. After the invention of astronomical telescopes they were also used for this since about 1620 and increasingly perfected until the 18th century. They were then replaced by the equatorial or equatorial mount; only with the modern large telescopes, their mirror diameters range from 6 to 20 meters, they returned in 1980 for reasons of mechanical stability to these old houses back.

In astronomy ( mirror diameter from about 6 m) ​​and the radio telescopes are also the universal and passages instruments mounted azimuthally except the newer very large telescopes, and also the meridian circles and heliostats, most meteor cameras and ballistic satellite cameras. The latter are partly used as astrographs.

In geodesy ( surveying ) and generally in the art outweighs the Altaz system before all other mounts, because it corresponds to the natural plumb line and the horizon and in a simple manner - eg with dragonflies or inclinometers - can be set precisely. Important examples are

• Theodolites of all kinds, tachymeter and Levels
• Measuring table, rear sight and panoramic tripod
• Measuring cameras for terrestrial photogrammetry
• Air traffic control radar, portable domes and radomes
• Laser Instruments
• Gradient knife

• Optical Telescope Technology
• Technical Optics