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Skip to content Celestron EclipSmart 10 Pack

DayStar Quark H-Alpha Eyepiece for the Chromosphere

(5 Available)
Free shipping
SKU: DAY-DSZ4C
$1,295.00
 

DayStar Quark H-Alpha Eyepiece for Chromosphere Detail

  • Check this out! DayStar has created an all-in-one Hydrogen-Alpha solar eyepiece...just place it in your refractor's diagonal, plug it in via the mini USB cable, pop in an eyepiece, and start observing in H-alpha!

  • This model of the Quark H-alpha eyepiece is classified as a "Chromosphere" (aka surface detail) filter due to its 0.5 - 0.3 Angstrom bandwidth. A "Prominence" model is also available separately.

  • The Quark Solar Eyepiece works best on refractors with a focal ratio of f/4 to f/8, and full disk viewing can be achieved on models with focal lengths of up to 450mm.

  • For apertures of 80mm or greater, DayStar recommends the insertion of a UV/IR filter before the diagonal to provide energy rejection.

More About the DayStar Quark Hydrogen-Alpha Eyepiece...

The All-In-One design of the DayStar Quark marries high quality components of a telecentric barlow, adapters, snouts and Daystar hydrogen alpha filter into one simple assembly.

For use on refractors of F/4 to F/9, the user needn't worry about configurations. Just insert the Quark 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 DayStar Quark assemblies are qualified to show either prominence or surface (chromosphere) details (this model). No specific FWHM bandpass is designated. Now observers can buy a filter based on their desired observing goals instead of their budget.

The fully optimized design eliminates the need for any adapters. It's all combined in one lightweight eyepiece-sized device. The compact design eliminates unnecessary components, weight and associated costs. DayStar 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 656nm wavelength.

DayStar Quark Highlights...

  • 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, 5v 1.5amp

  • Includes 90-240VAC wall adapter with international plug adapters.

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

  • LED indicator for power, warming, ready, fault

  • 5 year warranty

  • Optional 8-hour battery pack available

  • Integrated, fully baffled 2 element telecentric 4.2X barlow optimized for 656nm

  • Integrated 12mm blocking filter

  • 21mm clear filter aperture

  • Best performance with F/4 - F/8 refractors

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

  • No aperture limitations. May be used on larger refractors for higher magnification views

  • Ships in convenient Twist-Case for safe, dust-free storage.

  • Not suited for off-axis application.

What About Your Finderscope?

Adding this solar filter to your telescope will adequately filter the light coming through your focuser, but have you considered what you’ll do about your finder scope?

Here are some suggestions for dealing with your finder that will assure you do not damage your eyes (or anyone else’s) by looking at the Sun through your telescope’s unfiltered finder:

  • Remove Your Finder. Ditching your finderscope when solar viewing will remove the possibility of someone accidentally looking through it to spot the Sun. Of course, not having a finder makes centering the Sun in your eyepiece more difficult, but with practice, it can be done. Set the mount down so the telescope is pointing in the direction of the Sun. Put the main solar filter on so you can check your progress, and then move the telescope around until it casts a shadow that produces a nice, sharp silhouette of the scope. The OTA will look circular. Now move your telescope up or down with your hand controller, slow motion controls, or very carefully by hand if required while looking through the eyepiece. You will not get a warning when you are close, but you should be able to align with the Sun using this method. Practice ahead of time before any big event, like an eclipse, to make sure you’ve got the process down.
  • Filter Your Optical Finder. This solution is not recommended for a reflex or red dot finder since it is too easy to accidentally look around the window. If you have one of these finders we recommend you either remove it or replace it with a dedicated solar finder (see below).

    To make your optical finderscope safe for solar viewing you’ll need to buy a piece of Baader Solar Film for Visual Use. This film comes in different size sheets and cuts easily with scissors, allowing you to make your own filter. You can go super low-tech and use a rubber band to hold a piece of the film firmly around the finder or you can get fancy and build your own slip-on solar filter. However you attach the solar film, you need to make sure there are no light leaks at all and that it doesn’t accidentally fall off when you move your telescope around. Any unused film can store flat between two pieces of cardboard and will keep for years. It is nice to have around, just in case of a solar emergency :-)

  • Buy a Dedicated Solar Finder. Check out the Tele Vue Sol-Searcher Solar Finder. This special finder can only be used when observing the Sun, but it works very well. The Sol-Searcher is reasonably priced and can be attached to your telescope with Velcro or with #10-32 screws (user supplied).