Mount & Tracking

OnStep-Powered Dobsonian

One of the most rewarding projects I’ve undertaken in astronomy has been converting my Dobsonian into a motorized tracking platform using OnStep.

The system uses stepper motors, belts, gears, and custom electronics to automatically track celestial objects and perform computerized slews. Building and tuning the system taught me a tremendous amount about telescope mechanics, tracking accuracy, and automation.

While not a traditional astrophotography mount, it has enabled me to capture images that would have been impossible with the original manual setup.

Future Upgrades

Like every astrophotographer, I have a list of future plans. Current upgrade goals include:

• EQ6-R Pro equatorial mount
• Guiding setup
• Additional filters
• Wide-field refractor
• Further automation and remote operation

Part of the fun of astrophotography is that the journey never really ends. There is always a new technique to learn, a new target to capture, or a new challenge to solve.