Daystar Quark Chromosphere Hydrogen Alpha Solar Filter

Focus point on Sky Watcher Equinox 100mm+Tele Vue 75mm extension tube for ZWO ASI174MM camera with Daystar Quark hydrogen and calcium-H filters

Posted by Andrew Thornett

Focus point on Sky Watcher Equinox 100mm+Tele Vue 75mm extension tube:

= 74mm Quark H+Daystar interference elminator+QHY ASI174MM.
= 44mm Quark CaH+Daystar interference elminator+QHY ASI174MM.

Photographs of solar surface 24-25/6/2020 at different settings on dial of Daystar Hydrogen Quark Filter

Posted by Andrew Thornett

I took following photos through my Daystar Hydrogen Quark filter, with different settings on the dial on the filter. This dial varies from -5 to +5, and I wanted to see whether photos were better with one or other setting – those settings vary the tuning of the filter.

  • Sky Watcher Equinox 100m OTA
  • Daystar hydrogen alpha filter

After this analysis, I am still not sure which setting is best! However, visually, and also Damian’s previous assessment, was that setting -5 was most effective for my Quark H filter.

it is worth saying that these photos were taken before I sorted out the flat frames on FireCapture, and the alternate dark and light banding in the photos shows (Newton’s Rings).

Andy

+5 setting:

+3 setting:

-3 setting:

-5 setting:

Focus points and balance points for Daystar Hydrogen Quark Solar Filter on Sky Watcher 72mm DS Pro OTA without star diagonal and HEQ5 Pro mount

Posted by Andrew Thornett

I am using a 0.5x Astro Engineering AC555 0.5x Barlow lens screwed onto bottom of Quark.

Notice that Quark can’t go fully into 2″-1.25″ adapter due to fact that extension on bottom Quark from AC555 would damage 2″ UV filter on bottom of that adapter if I pushed it in further. In spite of this I can’t fully push extension tube into focuser or otherwise the Quark won’t reach focus. This is first time I have successfully used Quark without star diagonal and extension tube required to make up for length of light path in star diagonal.

Andy

Solar observing with Sky Watcher ED Pro 80mm OTA and Daystar Quark Hydrogen Alpha filter on Manfrotto 116 Mark 3 video tripod

Posted by Andrew Thornett

When I have used my Daystar Quark Hydrogen filter in the past, I have attached it to my Sky Watcher Equinox Pro 80mm OTA. However, I am now using that scope for my astrophotography setup and it is useful not to take the camera on and off the scope between sessions (for exampme keeping the camera attached to the acope wothout changing orientation between sessions allows flat frames to be used again and again a long as camera cooled to same temperature each time used and also makes for much faster setup times each time I want to do astrophotography).

Therefore, I have changed to using my Sky Watcher ED Pro 80mm OTA for solar and casual observing and keep it in my portable telescope kit.

Today was my first opportunity to check that the Quark came to focus on this scope…..It does – but only just! And that is with 1.25 inch diagonal not with 2 inch diagonal.

Photos below show the scope and Quark in action today and the focus position.

Andy

Andy’s drawings from solar observing today

Posted by Andrew Thornett

I joined Damian in his garden in Streethay to observe the solar disc today. Interesting to compare my very amateurish drawings with Roger’s amazing photos in his post from his session with the sun today! Still, it was great fun.

I think that Damian intends to add in his own post soon – his drawings were amazing…..the artist at work puts me in the shade!

Both Damian and I have Daystar Hydrogen Alpha filters for observing the sun and I also have a Daystar Calcium-H filter. The latter performed really well today showing up substantial white haloes around the sunspots and also in the area of the filament in Roger’s photo. I have tried to capture these white areas in my drawing of the Calcium-H view. That filter does not show the prominences – the H-Alpha filter is required for that.

The drawings below were all drawn at my telescope:

  • Sky Watcher Equinox Pro 80mm on Manfrotto mount
  • Daystar Hydrogen Alpha and Calcium-H filters
  • Televue Plossl 32mm eyepiece
  • Baader 8-28mm zoom eyepiece

Andy