What is a clock drive, and what is a GoTo mount?

A clock drive is a system of motors and gears used with an equatorial mount. When observing the sky with a properly aligned mount, it compensates for the Earth's rotation, keeping celestial objects centered in the field of view.

A clock drive is essential to conduct astroimaging. The motors can be either AC or DC, and the gears are usually either worm or spur gears.

A GoTo mount also uses a motor drive and additional controlling firmware–not only to track but also to align with stars and find objects anywhere in the sky.


Updated 12/20/13