🇬🇧 Tripods and Piers in General

The tripod is unfortunately an often underestimated component of the telescope system. Because if the tripod does not promise the necessary stability, it will be noticeable during observation. By choosing a high-quality tripod, the performance of the telescope and the enjoyment of observing can be significantly improved.

Piers for astronomical telescopes ensure a very stable stand. They are suitable for mounts that are permanently set up in the home garden, on the balcony, or in an own observatory. This allows the telescope to remain permanently set up and the polar alignment to be carried out very precisely. Piers are either designed to be permanently screwed to the ground or have their own feet. The transition to the classic tripod is fluid.

Pier extensions are not independent tripods. They are also called "half-piers" and merely serve to raise the mount higher. This may be necessary to prevent the telescope from hitting the tripod legs or to allow a more comfortable height for viewing through the telescope. In some cases, pier extensions can also be attached to stable tripods.

Further information can be found here in the Astroshop magazine.