Skip to content
Price match 30-day returns* Talk to an astronomer before you buy

Explore Scientific Right Ascension Drive for EQ3 Mounts

by Explore Scientific
SKU ES-ON-EQ3-Drive
CA$182.00 - CA$182.00
CA$182.00
CA$182.00 - CA$182.00
CA$182.00
Price Match Policy!
  • Adds automatic Right Ascension tracking to manual mounts
  • Keeps celestial objects centered in the eyepiece
  • Ideal for high-magnification planetary and lunar viewing
  • Compatible with EQ3 mounts, Firstlight Exos Nano, ES-ON11444EQ3 and ES-ON13449EQ3
  • Enables more relaxed, comfortable observing sessions
Backordered
Request Stock Alert
Availability Info
Qualifies for FREE Shipping in Canada on orders over $500.
  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Warranty

  • Right Ascension Drive for EQ3 Mounts

    This Right Ascension Drive transforms your manual German equatorial mount into an automatic tracking platform. By engaging a motor to match the Earth's rotation, it eliminates the need for constant manual adjustments via the slow-motion control knob. This simple upgrade keeps planets, star clusters, and nebulae perfectly centered in the eyepiece, allowing for longer, more detailed observations without interruption.

    Automated Sidereal Tracking for Visual Astronomy

    Once your mount is polar aligned, this RA drive takes over the most critical task in astronomy: tracking the sky. The motor turns the mount's Right Ascension axis at the sidereal rate, precisely counteracting the planet's rotation. This keeps your target from drifting out of view, a crucial advantage when observing at high magnification or when sharing the view with others.

    Made for EQ3 Mounts

    This drive is made for EQ3 mounts, including the Firstlight Exos Nano and the mounts supplied with the Explore Scientific ES-ON11444EQ3 and ES-ON13449EQ3 telescopes, whose manuals show a mounting point for an optional motor drive.

  • What is the main benefit of adding this RA drive to my EQ3 mount?

    The primary benefit is hands-free tracking. Instead of constantly turning the manual slow-motion knob to keep an object in view, this motor does it for you. This makes observing much more comfortable, especially at high powers, and is essential if you want to share views with friends or family without having to re-center the object for each person.

    Will this Right Ascension Drive fit my Explore Scientific ES-ON11444EQ3 telescope's mount?

    Yes, this drive is designed to be compatible with the mount supplied with the Explore Scientific ES-ON11444EQ3 telescope, as well as the ES-ON13449EQ3 and the Firstlight Exos Nano mounts.

    Does this motor drive make my EQ3 mount a GoTo system?

    No, this is a single-axis tracking motor, not a GoTo system. It will track an object once you have manually located it in the sky, but it will not automatically slew the telescope to new targets. You will still use star charts or a planisphere to find objects yourself.

    How does this RA drive improve observing Jupiter on my Firstlight Exos Nano mount?

    Observing planets like Jupiter requires high magnification to see details like its cloud bands and moons. At these powers, objects drift through the field of view very quickly. This RA drive automatically tracks Jupiter, keeping it centered so you can study it for extended periods without the distraction of making manual adjustments.

  • Note Detailed specifications are not available for this product.

    • Contents Not Specified

      × 1

  • Explore Scientific Warranty