DAYSTAR QUARK GEMINI H-ALPHA DUAL FILTER

The DayStar Instruments Quark Gemini contains both the Chromosphere and Prominence bandpass filters for instant slide-action switching between either view. 

Outreach astronomers can use the prominence vs chromosphere switch to demonstrate each feature with an extra teaching moment about wing shift going on in fast moving prominences. Imagers can use the same switch to create comparison images without the need to exchange equipment or refocus with short lived features.

To prevent damage to your telescope, the Quark must be used with an appropriate energy rejection filter (sold separately). For refractors under 120mm of aperture, a screw-in UV/IR-cut filter can be used if placed in front of the telescope diagonal. Do not use a UV/IR-cut filter with oil-spaced objectives or any telescope with an integrated field flattener or Petzval lens. The UV/IR-cut filter must be the first optical element to receive concentrated light.

For telescopes which do not fit the above specifications, you must purchase a DayStar energy rejection filter to fit your particular telescope.

The Chromosphere filter features a bandpass between 0.5 - 0.3Å, making it the perfect choice for viewing surface detail, although prominences will still be visible.

The Prominence filter has a bandpass of 0.8 - 0.6Å, which will deliver bright, high-contrast views of prominences against a jet black sky.

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/8*, the user needn't worry about configurations. Just insert in your diagonal, add an eyepiece and view.

The patent pending 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.

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 656nm wavelength.

The QUARK assembly is a product of DayStar Instruments, using DayStar Filters' Fabry Perot etalon technology.
* QUARK Filters may be used at shorter and longer focal ratios than recommended. F-ratios of F/9 and higher will offer a dimmer visual view and may only be bright enough for photographic applications. F-ratios of less than F/4 will be brighter, but also widen the effective FWHM bandpass performance of the QUARK filter.

Specifications

• Contains TWO separate Fabry Perot Etalon elements which may be shifted safely via push-pull into view
• A hand-matched pair of narrower (<0.5Å FWHM) and wider (>0.6Å FWHM) etalons shall be SE grade and independently tuneable
• Ships with male combo 1.25" or 2.0" combo eyepiece snouts with safety indent slot directly into your diagonal
• Ships with standard 1.25 female eyepiece drawtube output. Optional interchangeable 2" and SCT accessories available
• Brass compression ring to protect eyepiece
• Uses USB power, 5v 2.0amp
• Includes 90-240VAC wall adapter with international plug adapters
• Two tuning knobs allow wing shifting +/- 0.5Ã with detents at every 0.1Ã
• LED indicator for power, warming, ready, fault
• 5 year warranty
• Integrated, fully baffled 2 element telecentric 4.2X barlow optimized for 656nm
• Integrated 12mm blocking filter
• 22mm 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 watertight pelican style equipment case for dust & humidity-free storage
• Not suited for off-axis application

Downloads

DayStar Quark user manual

Gallery

All images © Alessandro Bianconi, taken with the DayStar Quark Chromosphere H-Alpha filter

228mm truss tube achromatic refractor & ZWO ASI 174MM

228mm truss tube achromatic refractor & ZWO ASI 174MM

228mm truss tube achromatic refractor & ZWO ASI 174MM

Teleskop Service 152mm refractor & ZWO ASI 174MM