Quark testing 8th Aug

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Montana
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Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by Montana »

Finally after a mountain of images to plough through I have compiled all my Quark testing images together.

I have wanted to do this since I bought the Quark but having the time in the Sun to do this test was a million to one chance. Considering this year I have not had more than a 30 minute run of blue sky the chances of getting 2 hrs was slim. However, Saturday I had 4 hours of pure blue before it clouded up and so was able to do this test.

I set the Quark on zero point which is 12 o'clock on the dial (middle) and bagged some images of the AR and filament and prominence, although like previously I really struggled with the prom exposure. I then started turning the dial clockwise to +01 and waited for the green light to come on. Now I knew this position was better (more on band) the last time I had used it but this is all I had managed. I then kept imaging the same 3 objects on the same exposure (no flats) for every point on the dial clockwise to +05. I then turned the dial all the way back to -05 counterclockwise and took the same images again each click until I got back to centre point again. So here are the results, I think the best overall contrast, flatness of field, and prom exposure was +04 clockwise. You can see that 'on band' comes in from the bottom right, passes through the middle then leaves top left, just like a tilt tuned etalon, this surprised me, somehow I expected it to be like a pressure tuner with an even field. Now I know why I had been struggling with the prominence on the first two outings. I think it is very important for each Quark user to try this out at some point if they can, especially if you have a problem with uneven field or struggling to see prominences. If you spend a lot of money it is worth getting to know the beast you bought :)

Image2015-08-08 AR12396 by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

Image2015-08-08 Prominence by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

Image2015-08-08 Filament by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

Then some fun in the blue wing, well I had the images anyway :)
Spicule 'twinning' only observed in the blue wing

Image080815_100547 -05 crop by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

Bright Arch filament footpoints - not to be confused with Ellerman bombs!

Image080815_100829 -05 Bright footpoints by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

Ellerman bombs (only distinguished from footpoints if you take a series of images)

Image2015-08-08 Ellerman bombs by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

A prominence showing the blue shifted parts and blue shifted spicules.

Image080815_095413 +05 & -05 Blue shift combo by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

I had more fun doing this than I expected, I hope you enjoy them

and a couple of snaps with the 2 PSTs and the DMK41 on 10th August

Image2015-08-10 18-48-24 f colour by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

Image2015-08-10 19-03-20 f colour by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

Thanks for wading through them all.
Alexandra


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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by sulcis2000 »

Very interesting test!!

Ale


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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by gabrieli »

Thanks for this, Alexandra. This was a lot of work.

Waiting for the Quark to get back on band after each dial click is one of my pet peeves, especially since imaging time can be scarce. I've been using the "0" position because it gives me workable images but now you've "guilted" me into trying what you've done, at least visually.

Lou


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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by Rybak »

Thanks for sharing and for great work, Alexandra.

That's what i must do with my new Quark.
What telescope did you use while testing and did you use focal reducer?


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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by DJD »

Yes indeed, very informative. Thanks for doing this. Now all
I need is 4 hrs blue skies :-)
Best wishes,
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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by pedro »

Amazing test Alexandra, thanks. +04/05 for disk features and proms, seems the way to go with your Quark

I will keep it as a reference. Maybe I will buy a Quark soon.

best regards
Last edited by Anonymous on Sun Aug 16, 2015 9:38 pm, edited 3 times in total.


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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by p_zetner »

Terrific, informative presentation!
Thanks, Alexandra.

Cheers.
Peter.


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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by Montana »

Thanks guys! if you own a Quark, really this is an essential test to get the most of your equipment. I thought it was great at +01 but was having trouble with proms, now I know that +04 is 100% better and proms were easy.

The scope used was a 140mm f7 refractor stopped down to 135mm with a D-ERF, no focal reducer used and no flats.

Alexandra


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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by Rybak »

Alexandra, I think you've got a very good Quark. When i put my Quark into 120ED F7.5 i see NR.


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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by Ewan »

Rybak wrote:Alexandra, I think you've got a very good Quark. When i put my Quark into 120ED F7.5 i see NR.
I don't think your Quark is at fault but a tilt adjuster maybe your best bet to get the most & avoid NR's.
Montana wrote:Thanks guys! if you own a Quark, really this is an essential test to get the most of your equipment. I thought it was great at +01 but was having trouble with proms, now I know that +04 is 100% better and proms were easy.

The scope used was a 140mm f7 refractor stopped down to 135mm with a D-ERF, no focal reducer used and no flats.

Alexandra
As already voiced Alexandra a very good test, exactly what I did when I bought mine then suggested on various forums.
Glad you can grab your proms now though, I will be interested in your Quark / Solarscope Prom shoot out if you ever did one :D

Will ambient temp change the time it takes the tuner to settle after an adjustment ?
I see a lot of people saying it takes 10 minutes, mine seems to take a lot less to go green, curious that's all.
The Quark is a little gem in my book, without it I probably would not have even thought about getting into solar work.

Clear skies for the weekend would be nice but not looking good at the mo.


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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by Derek Klepp »

A great review Alexandra I suggest you email it to Daystar so there users don,t get frustrated.The off banding is almost identical to my old tilt tuned mechanism that I replaced with the Quark.Price wise these Quarks are excellent but for speed of setup the pressure tuned Lunts are the go.Single stack of courseHope you have Sun this weekend,


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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by cshahar »

Really informative Alexandra. Great you got some clear skies. I am still waiting here in Montreal!

-Charles


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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by yltansg »

Hi Alexandra,

Thanks for sharing your test on the Quark. Overall how does its performance compare with your SF100 DS?

Alfred


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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by Bill Edelen »

That's relay great. Thanks for doing and sharing...


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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by T McVicar »

Fantastic presentation, especially with the blue wing. Very nice.


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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by marktownley »

A fine selection of images there!


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Re: Quark testing 8th Aug

Post by arnedanielsen »

Very interesting and informative test! Thanks a lot Alexandra!

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