A telescope support structure lacking a motorized tracking system relies on manual adjustment to compensate for Earth’s rotation. Such a device necessitates deliberate and continuous repositioning by the observer to maintain a celestial object within the field of view. An example of this is a simple alt-azimuth mount where both altitude and azimuth axes require manual correction.
The value of a system that relies on human intervention lies in its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. These mounts are generally more portable and easier to set up compared to their motorized counterparts. Historically, before the advent of sophisticated electronic controls, all telescopes relied on this method, fostering a deeper connection between the observer and the night sky as they actively participated in the viewing process. The affordability also makes these systems accessible to beginner astronomers.
