{"product_id":"explore-scientific-es-sagt-st10","title":"Explore Scientific Sidara Pro GoTo Mount with SkyAssist","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSkyAssist GoTo System\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAutomated Self-Alignment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApp-Based Wireless Control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntuitive Alt-Azimuth Design\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVixen-Style Dovetail Saddle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDual Power Options (AA Batteries or External Power Bank)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- more --\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003eDescription\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFAQ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the Box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"tabs-content\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section-center\"\u003e\n      \u003ch2\u003eSidara Pro GoTo Mount with SkyAssist\u003c\/h2\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eThe Sidara Pro GoTo Mount streamlines your observing sessions by pairing an intuitive alt-azimuth design with the intelligent SkyAssist system for fully automated alignment and object tracking. Controlled via a dedicated app, it allows you to select targets from an extensive astronomical catalog and automatically slew your telescope, eliminating manual searching. Its compatibility with Vixen-style dovetails and flexible power options make it an accessible foundation for a modern, automated astronomy setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n      \u003ch3\u003eSkyAssist GoTo: Automated Alignment and App-Based Control\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eAt the core of the Sidara Pro is the SkyAssist system, an intelligent engine designed to remove the traditional complexities of finding celestial objects. The mount uses built-in technology to perform its own alignment, establishing its precise position without requiring you to identify stars manually. This removes the steepest part of the learning curve for newcomers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eOnce aligned, you connect to the mount through the SkyAssist app on your smart device. From there, you can browse a deep astronomical catalog, select a target like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) or the rings of Saturn, and the mount will automatically move your telescope to the object and begin tracking it across the sky. This automated workflow lets you spend your session observing, not searching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n      \u003ch3\u003eAlt-Azimuth Mechanics and Vixen Dovetail Compatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eThe Sidara Pro's alt-azimuth (alt-az) design offers an intuitive user experience, with simple up-down and left-right movements that mirror how you naturally look at the sky. This mechanical simplicity makes setup fast and operation straightforward, ideal for quick backyard sessions or outreach events.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eEquipped with a Vixen-style dovetail saddle, the mount is compatible with a vast range of optical tubes from many manufacturers. This industry-standard connection gives you the flexibility to use a telescope you already own or upgrade in the future. Power is equally flexible, with options to use standard AA batteries for maximum portability or an external power bank for longer, uninterrupted observing sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat kind of telescopes can I use with the Sidara Pro mount?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThe Sidara Pro features a \u003cstrong\u003eVixen-style dovetail saddle\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is one of the most common standards in the industry. It is compatible with a wide range of small-to-medium-sized refractors, Maksutov-Cassegrains, and Schmidt-Cassegrains that are equipped with a Vixen-style dovetail bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eDo I need to know the names of stars to align the Sidara Pro?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eNo. The Sidara Pro's \u003cstrong\u003eSkyAssist system\u003c\/strong\u003e is designed for automated self-alignment. Once you set up and level the mount, it uses its internal technology to determine its position and orientation, eliminating the need for manual star alignment. This makes it exceptionally beginner-friendly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eHow do I power the Sidara Pro mount in the field?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThe mount offers two power options for flexibility. You can use a set of standard \u003cstrong\u003eAA batteries\u003c\/strong\u003e for a completely cordless setup, perfect for portability. For longer sessions, you can connect an \u003cstrong\u003eexternal power source\u003c\/strong\u003e, such as a portable USB power bank, to ensure continuous operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs the Sidara Pro good for long-exposure astrophotography?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThe Sidara Pro's alt-azimuth design is optimized for visual observing and is excellent for that purpose. However, like all alt-az mounts, it is subject to \u003cstrong\u003efield rotation\u003c\/strong\u003e during long exposures. This makes it unsuitable for deep-sky astrophotography of nebulae and galaxies but well-suited for visual astronomy and taking short snapshots of the Moon and bright planets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eI want to show my family Jupiter and the Orion Nebula (M42) in one night. How does the Sidara Pro help?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThe Sidara Pro is perfect for this scenario. After its automatic alignment, you would simply select \"Jupiter\" in the SkyAssist app, and the mount would slew to it. When you're ready to see the Orion Nebula, you select \"M42\" in the app, and the mount will move the telescope directly to it. The \u003cstrong\u003eGoTo functionality\u003c\/strong\u003e eliminates all manual searching, allowing you to move between targets in seconds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eCan I use the Sidara Pro with my existing 80mm refractor that has a Vixen bar?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eYes. An 80mm refractor with a standard Vixen-style dovetail bar is an excellent match for the Sidara Pro. You can attach your telescope directly to the mount's saddle, run the automated alignment, and begin observing with full GoTo control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n  \u003ctable class=\"DAV-specifications\"\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n      \n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n  \u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n    \n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/pages\/explore-scientific-warranty-policy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eExplore Scientific Warranty\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52909290946845,"sku":"ES-SAGT-ST10","price":700.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/ExploreScientific-Sidara-Pro-1_936ccf0e-b726-4014-98df-b5875096b8ae.jpg?v=1789061092","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/products\/explore-scientific-es-sagt-st10","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}