Tripod and Pier

This page will handle the stable placement of the telescope.

The Tripod

Telescope tripods are as robust as they are short. Stability is why there are tripods but with astro photography a tripod is paramount. My choice was the ZWO TC40. Why? well mainly for the price. Because of the short legs I don't expect much difference between the various types. When the legs extend longer the length introduces instability and the use of spreaders, connecting rods halfway down the legs, is a need. The TC40 however has a very sturdy mini spreader at the collar.
The TC40 is quite low with a collar height of 79cm. But a mount and telescope directly on that height is asking for problems. When the mount starts pointing and tracking the telescope with all its scopes and computer and cabling will at some point get in the way of itself. So we need to get a bit higher above the tripod collar. That we do by placing a pier.

The Pier

The pier raises the collar by 18cm and creates the needed space for the telescope to move around freely.