What is the difference between a terrestrial telescope and a astronomical telescope?

Answer 1

The differences are typically the method of mounting the scope, and possibly

the physical presentation of the eyepiece.

-- The mounting of an astronomical instrument typically has one axis that can be set

parallel to the Earth's axis, and a motor to turn the scope around it, so as to follow

the apparent "daily motion" of sky objects. A terrestrial telescope doesn't need to

rotate parallel to the Earth's rotation, and doesn't need to be clock-driven once you

find the object you want to watch through it.

-- An astronomical telescope is usually pointed in some degree of "upward"

direction, and for comfort's sake, the optical path often includes a 90-degree

turn, so that the eyepiece comes out perpendicular to the scope's axis, and you

don't have to scrunch down behind the tube and look up. A terrestrial scope is

typically pointed more nearly horizontal, and it isn't nearly as inconvenient to

look through it in the true direction in which it's pointed toward the target.