Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

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Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by GeorgeIonas »

Hi All,

I have just come across this on the Daystar website about their new Hydrogen Alpha "eyepiece" called the "Quark". It seems that it will be released on the 14th of April and will be available at NEAF - price $995. There are two types of "eyepieces" available, one for looking and I presume imaging the Chromosphere and the other for prominences. Also, it seems that there is no limit on what aperture scope one uses.

http://www.daystarfilters.com/Quark.shtml

Does this mean that our full aperture Etalons could now be obsolete?

Your views and comments from those in the know would be much appreciated.

George


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Derek Klepp »

I,d be dubious putting it on anything over 80 mm.Perhaps the Daystar rep could expand on this.


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by GeorgeIonas »

Derek,

Daystar does not mention the need of an ERF. Maybe there is some new technology involved?

George


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by marktownley »

Interesting! You could bung in a PST etalon in there and get it double stacked to show some proper surface detail. ;)


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by GeorgeIonas »

Or alternatively, use the Quark Eyepiece for double stacking or better still remove the internal ERF and use it on a solar scope for double stacking.

George


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by solarchat »

George,
Please send all of your obsolete, old, useless full aperture etalons to me and I will replace them with the new Daystar eyepiece...lol


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Merlin66 »

The DayStar web site still says an ERF is required with all their Ha filters.....


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Sunwatcher »

Hummm....is this one of those, "if it's to good to be true then it isn't", things?


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Merlin66 »

Well it did go up on the 1st April.........


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by GeorgeIonas »

Nice try Stephen. I think that I was asking the question will this make our Etalons obsolete ?

Ken: Well... over were we are it is the 2nd of April. Maybe it is an April Fool's Joke?

Sun watcher: Yes, too good to be true.

I see the announcement is also posted on AstroMart's classifieds under the Solar Section as well.

http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/de ... _id=851461

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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by MapleRidge »

Hi all...

I received an e-mail from Daystar on this today as well, and caught the adds on Astromart, their website, and reference to having them at NEAF next weekend too. Pretty nervy for an April Fools gag in my opinion :o

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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by axlefoley »

GeorgeIonas wrote:Ken: Well... over were we are it is the 2nd of April. Maybe it is an April Fool's Joke?


George
I think it is in Australia to George,,,,,, Ken may be able to confirm this.

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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by swisswalter »

Hi George


very interesting. I have ordered one of each type, we will see what happens ;-)


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Valery »

This is all possible. I believe, that this is the answer for all these PST mods. It is easy to make a powerful tele centric Barlow and small Ha filter in one package.
If this a real device, then I predict the prices fall off for all these DS II modules, small front etalons etc.


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by GeorgeIonas »

Walter, I wait with anticipation on the results that you will get. Perhaps an in depth review is called for here.

If the Quark can be used on other scopes with no aperture limit and no external ERF then at $995 it is a bargain.

Valery, I agree with you, if the Quark works out O.K. the I would presume that all of the DS II modules and front Etalon prices will drop.

What ever the case, I for one will do nothing until Walter tests both types.

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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Carbon60 »

It's down to you, Walter.....no pressure. ;)

Interesting!

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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by dedo »

I really think we still are at the very down of amateur solar observing technology.
The new device from Daystar is really interesting for me.


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Introducing the Quark. The first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece"!

Post by pedro »

Introducing the Quark. The first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece"!

Has anyone tried it yet?

http://www.daystarfilters.com/Quark.shtml
Attachments
QuarkAd.jpg
QuarkAd.jpg (155.36 KiB) Viewed 6404 times


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Re: Introducing the Quark. The first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiec

Post by Nick »

Only available 1st April?

Concern here is (a) a pezval's rear elements would probably die from thermal shock, (b) any elbow would also probably melt..

Also thread on it here already :) http://solarchat.natca.net/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10975


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Re: Introducing the Quark. The first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiec

Post by pedro »

Hi Nick:

I know that it will available at the next NEAF (12/4/2014). I could not understand if a ERF is required...

best regards


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Re: Introducing the Quark. The first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiec

Post by pedro »

Maybe it is an April Fool's Joke...

There is another thread on this Quark eyepiece


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Nick »

Hehe Pentax and Televue will release new EPs - they can't be outdone in the cost & weight stakes!


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Sunwatcher »

swisswalter wrote:Hi George


very interesting. I have ordered one of each type, we will see what happens ;-)
Way to go Walter. No matter which way this turns out you get another "Man Card"!


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by solarchat »

Well, we will see. I will be at NEAF next weekend and hopefully they will have this setup for people to look through. Competition can only help the industry and the user. Daystar and Lunt are among the VERY few astro companies here in America who haven't sold out to the Chinese yet also so I am rooting for them to do good things.

I don't really see a lot of difference between this and the standard rear mounted etalon with internal erf which they already sell except for the massive price reduction and the fact that it is one unit instead of a few separate pieces and that it goes after the diagonal instead of in front of it.

I can see someone rolling out their giant refractor with this thing on it with the focus still set for standard night time accessories and sitting there trying to figure it out as their diagonal melts.


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Chaps


I'll Report when the goods arrive and the sun shines. My understanding is that DAYSTAR recommends an ERF.


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Cschur »

Looks like you have to plug this thing into power as well, that might be inconvenient for a portable setup!

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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by smerral »

I'm in touch with a guy at astromarket about this. He gets one for testing in about a week and will give me more details then. I think we can rule out April Fools though. :) It's certainly something that interests me. :) From what I understand Chris it can be powered via USB or power tank. I await more details though. According to the guy at Astromart an ERF is not required but is advisable for larger apertures.


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Sunwatcher »

Well my goodness, I'm going to have to cancel my order for a multi $$$$$ Lunt DS set up ordered just a week or so ago......

Review Quickly Please!


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by solarchat »

he he... I don't think I would do that Tommy...lol


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Sunwatcher »

I agree but it is tempting.

Steve at Woodland Hills phoned last night to get some last minute details before shipping. It is a pleasure working with folks who provide such good customer service.


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Chaps


day one, after ordering and transfering the $$$'s. I have not yet received an answer to the question when they will be delivered :roll:


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Nick »

I just noted:
Uses USB power, 5v 1.5amp
This is going to cause problems.. USB only guarantees 500mA per device. Devices that take more can have issues with some computer motherboards (and even burn out components). However it seems a new charging sub-standard was introduced..

The USB 3.1 standard is backward compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. Using three power profiles of those defined in the USB Power Delivery Specification, it lets devices with larger energy demands request higher currents and supply voltages from compliant hosts—up to 2 A at 5 V (for a power consumption of up to 10 W), and optionally up to 5 A at either 12 V (60 W) or 20 V (100 W).[27]

Hmm unless it's declaring itself as a chargeable device:
Battery Charging Specification 1.1: Released in March 2007 (Updated 15 Apr 2009).
Adds support for dedicated chargers (power supplies with USB connectors), host chargers (USB hosts that can act as chargers) and the No Dead Battery provision, which allows devices to temporarily draw 100 mA current after they have been attached. If a USB device is connected to dedicated charger, maximum current drawn by the device may be as high as 1.8 A. (Note that this document is not distributed with USB 2.0 specification package only USB 3.0 and USB On-The-Go.)

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB
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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by marktownley »

solarchat wrote:I can see someone rolling out their giant refractor with this thing on it with the focus still set for standard night time accessories and sitting there trying to figure it out as their diagonal melts.
Exactly, they have to have a ERF. It says on the left hand side of the webpage with it on "All DayStar Hydrogen a filter assemblies need to be used in conjunction with a lens cover and Energy Rejection Filter."


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by smerral »

Well they recommend an IR/UV cut as an alternative, although I would never use it visually.
http://www.daystarfilters.com/inout_art ... Refractors


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by eroel »

Hi:
Some years ago, I saw one of the experiments that Jen was making, so to use just a small UV/IR blocking filter and no big ERF at the objective with her Daystar filters.
BTW, David Tyler and I were doing the same thing long before that and we had some success, but the UV/IR blocker got hot (David even took some temperature readings). We were thinking of a better blocker (better coatings and substrates), but we stopped going on because we just had the commercial blockers to work with, after considering that we could go safely ahead with the idea with up to 4" in diameter objectives.
Jen was using a 10" SCT, I was shocked when I saw it working in real time at the RTMC (Riverside Telescope Making Convention). The secondary unit got very hot but it kept working for hours, so I believe that she will be using a super blocker and that it will have an aperture limit for the main objective, probably not more than 6" but who knows, she might come up with something special.
I hope to attend NEAF, so I will find out. :D
My 2 cents on the subject.
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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by GeorgeIonas »

Thank you for the information Eric.

Some random thoughts on the Quark:

I presume then one can use the Quark for double stacking in conjunction with either an internal or external Etalon?

One thing that I do not understand is the the Quark uses a 4.2x telecentric Barlow lens lens but state that at a focal length of 450mm will provide a full solar disc image - maybe this is possible if one uses a scope with a native focal length of 100mm?

Also, what purpose is the power supply, to tune the Etalon? I see in the photograph that it has a variable power switch attached to the eyepiece.

I hope that with Walter's review all will become clear.

George


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by smerral »

That's very interesting Eric. One of the attractions of this is of course the considerable expense saved by not having to use an external ERF (I would be using this on a standard Skywatcher f.5 102mm), quite apart from the very reasonable cost of the entire unit. As I already have an SM40 I too would be interested in the possibility of double stacking. We shall have to wait and see. :)


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Derek Klepp »

Ok I have stacked my .5A Daystar Solaredi unit on the lunt 100 pictures somewhere on here.I was not impressed .Lots of glass and reflections and narrow FOV.I honestly think these units will be on par with 40mm scopes on resolution I hope i'm wrong. After years of aquiring lots of stuff pay peanuts and often thats what you get. I await Walter ,Roberts ,Erics and Stephens reviews.
Cheers Derek


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by eroel »

Brian:

When I saw Jen´s 10" SCT full aperture without an ERF at the corrector plate I was shocked, because the full 10" aperture mirror was sending to the secondary mirror a non filtered cone of light from the sun, and got the secondary housing attached to the corrector plate really hot.

To my surprise that scope was aiming the sun most of the day during all the weekend without breaking up, and the sun appeared in H-alpha at the monitor to which a video camera was connected, showing a very good image, so I think that Jen managed to make a small UV/IR blocker that can stand up a lot of heat and protect the etalon from the IR and IV radiation.

If so, probably this eyepiece with etalon can be used with almost any reasonable aperture considering that she was making experiments at that time with up to 10" in aperture.

BTW, I have tried my 6" f/12 refractor without an external ERF, just by using before the Daystar a Baader UV/IR blocker, but used to cover the objective when not observing or imaging, so not to expose the etalon to heat and radiation that destroys the internal trimmers and blockers. Anyway, those were just experiments that Dave and me were doing years ago, because normally I keep using my 5.1" ERF.

Best regards,
Eric.


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by smerral »

All fascinating stuff Eric. :) I suppose now it's just a matter of being patient and seeing what transpires. :)


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Bill Edelen »

This is an exciting topic . I hope all my questions will be assured at NEAF. We can look forward to several different opinions. All we need now is sunny weather....


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Sungazer »

Hi All, MAYBE someone has solved the problem ??? we all want answered, and we do not need to keep modifying our kit. I live in hope after 25 years of solar viewing in Ha .John.


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Sunwatcher »

Sungazer wrote:Hi All, MAYBE someone has solved the problem ??? we all want answered, and we do not need to keep modifying our kit. I live in hope after 25 years of solar viewing in Ha .John.
Greg is this you or has someone hijacked that old familiar name?

Hope it is you - so nice to see you posting on this forum!

Yes, it's been a while for me too but that old saying about men and their toys and the price.....regardless we always want to have new ones.


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Valery »

Very important question.

From the DayStar webpage QUARK description: "Tuning knob allows wing shifting +/- 0.5Å with detents at every 0.1Å "

Is this tuning works by the etalon temperature change or just by the tilt of the etalon?


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Valery
Last edited by Valery on Fri Apr 04, 2014 8:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Valery »

In general, I think that all these PST mods have inspired DayStar to develop this Quark system.

I expect a noticeable prices drop for most of narrow band filters stuff.


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by solarchat »

Respectfully, if anything- all the PST mods have prevented manufacturers from investing into any new designs. Why would anyone invest tens of thousands of dollars in introducing new solar scope products to a market where people feverishly encourage newcomers to build their own scopes from 10 year old used equipment?

Since no one outside of Daystar has actually seen or used this new system yet, and it is priced higher than the PST or the LS35, what is all the fuss about? I hope it works and I am all for modders and new products, but I don't see this as anything revolutionary. Its a rear mounted etalon with a heater that probably still needs an ERF as stated on their website. Its still $1000 so its not like its going to fly off the shelves even if it works perfectly. I think all this speculation is premature.
Lets let a couple of our users get their hands on it and their eyes in it before we throw away our " old, obsolete " equipment. :)


and, Ill be the first in line to loo at it at NEAF by the way, Im really big and no one will push me out of line..:)


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Merlin66 »

Stephen,
I was interested in your comments re PST modders.....
As someone who started all this mod business and actively supports the ongoing development of solar observing, I don't think for one moment that the big boys would be influenced one way or another by our activities....


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by solarchat »

thats probably a better way to put it. You're right, of course...as usual. :)


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by sullij1 »

swisswalter wrote:Hi Chaps


day one, after ordering and transfering the $$$'s. I have not yet received an answer to the question when they will be delivered :roll:

Walter, I talked to Sean at Daystar today. They will not start shipping until the day of NEAF. That wold be the 12th. The first batch of product is currently in final test before shipping.


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Re: Daystar: QUARK the first Hydrogen Alpha "Eyepiece" ?

Post by Valery »

Stephen, I am sure that Quark will hit the "market" of all possible PST mods. Really, it costs a bit more, but offer much larger blocker -12mm, etalon is of the same size - 20mm, but Quark etalon possibly is a temperature tuning (need to be confirmed) device - results no banding and much more even field.
Finally, no need to use only F/10 telescopes, no need to do anything. Plug&play device. All in all Quark, IMHO, will be a much better choice.

Also, lets remember that Lunt is working about solid etalons. I guess that Lunt will too, introduce something very similar to DayStar's Quark.
Last edited by Valery on Sat Apr 05, 2014 8:18 am, edited 1 time in total.


"Solar H alpha activity is the most dynamic and compelling thing you can see in a telescope, so spend accordingly." (c) Bob Yoesle.

Largest full size 185 - 356mm Dielectric Energy Rejection Filters (D-ERF) by ARIES Instruments.
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