Daystar Instruments QUARK - H-Alpha Filter System for Chromosphere, incl. test by TS

Daystar Instruments QUARK - eyepiece side H-alpha Filter System for Chromosphere

The first one-piece H-Alpha filter system for refractors from f/9 to f/4

This new, all-in-one design marries high quality components of a telecentric barlow, adapters, snouts and Daystar hydrogen alpha filter into one simple assembly. Through design efficiency and optimization, now users can enjoy the known high quality optics of DayStar* at an affordable price.

For use on refractors of f/4 to f/9, the user needn´t worry about optical configurations. Just insert in your diagonal, add an eyepiece and view.

The QUARK contains a custom Daystar Instruments 4.2x telecentric Barlow lens fully optimized in coatings and optical design specifically for the Hydrogen Alpha wavelength. This highly specialized telecentric lens offers superior field flatness.

Exact filter bandpass will vary based on final telescope application, so QUARK assemblies are qualified to show either prominence or surface (chromosphere). No specific FWHM bandpass is designated. Now observers can buy a filter based on their desired observing goals instead of their budget. Choose prominences or surface (Chromosphere) detail.

The fully optimized design eliminates the need for any adapters. It´s all combined in one lightweight eyepiece sized device. The new, compact design configuration eliminates unnecessary components, weight and associated costs. We even reduced power consumption, so the Quark can now operate all day off a small, palm-sized optional battery pack. Baffles have been added to increase contrast and AR coatings are optimized for the 656 nm wavelength.

Versions

2 Versions: Prominence or Chromosphere - this version is for Chromosphere.

Prominence: prominences of the sun
Chromosphere: H-Alpha details on the surface of the sun (solar disc)

Necesssary measures for different telescopes

For refractors up to 80 mm, no filter is necessary, but an energy rejection filter (ERF) in front of the objective can be used.

For refractors between 80 mm and 150 mm, a UV/IR blocking filter is absolutely necessary, an ERF in front of the objective can be used.

For larger refractors, all SCTs and all Newtonians, an ERF at the front side is absolutely necessary.

This is how Teleskop-Service hands over the Daystar filters to the star friend:

Every Quark solar filter is tested on the sun before it is stored in our technique. We have a reference filter for this purpose. Only filters that pass this test go to our warehouse for shipment. Filters that do not pass the test are returned to DayStar with a request for exchange. This way we guarantee you will enjoy your DayStar H-Alpha filter from the beginning.

Attention at low temperatures:

A Fabry-Pérot filter may never freeze. Being made for working at a very specific temperature, a complex filter should not be exposed to temperatures below 5 °C (40 °F).

The immersion oil which connects the optical elements can solidify. Then, it presses them apart and the coatings of the to 1/200 lambda plane-parallel polished etalon plate suffer damage.

Also, the adhesion of the dielectric coating is extremely stressed, resulting in an accelerated intercalation of water into this layer.

This is regarded as mistreatment and forced ageing of the filter, voiding warranty.

For this reason, we recommend putting the filter into a case, best with drying agent, and storing it in the warm home. Thus you will enjoy the filter for many years.

Features at a glance

1.25" or 2.0" combo eyepiece snouts with safety indent slot directly into your diagonal

Standard 1.25 eyepiece drawtube output with optional 2" and SCT accessories available.

Brass compression ring to protect eyepiece.

Uses USB power, 5 V 1.5 A

Includes 90-240 V AC wall adapter with international plug adapters.

Tuning knob allows wing shifting +/- 0.5 Å with detents at every 0.1 Å

LED indicator for power, warming, ready, fault

5 year warranty from Daystar

Optional 8-hour battery pack available.

Integrated, fully baffled 2 element telecentric 4.2x Barlow optimized for 656 nm

Integrated 12 mm blocking filter

21 mm clear filter aperture

Best performance with f/4 - f/8 refractors

Full disk viewing possible on refractors up to ~450 mm focal length refractors

No aperture limitations. May be used on larger refractors for higher magnification views (needs ERF filter in front of lens)

Ships in convenient twist-case for safe, dust-free storage.

Not suited for off-axis application.

The 2" adapter on the telescope side can be removed. than you have a female M48x0.75 thread for adaptions

Safety informations: PDF Download