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.

Answer 2

A terrestrial telescope is designed for viewing objects on Earth, such as landscapes and wildlife, while an astronomical telescope is designed for viewing celestial objects like stars, planets, and galaxies in the night sky. Astronomical telescopes typically have larger apertures and higher magnification capabilities to observe objects that are much farther away than those seen with a terrestrial telescope.