However, setting up the mount requires getting the perfect ... is that the Explorer 130 lacks a motor drive because telescopes using equatorial mounts are ideal for astrophotography.

An equatorial table is a device used to compensate for the Earth’s rotation, enabling telescopes to track celestial ... From there, the table is assembled, mounted on ball bearings, and powered ...

One is a Celestron (on long-term loan from John Bally) that was mounted piggyback on the 18-inch telescope and used for CCD imaging. The second is a Meade that can be either tripod- or pier-mounted.