Quark and Filter Test on an AR

this is the main message area for anything solar :)
Post Reply
Starry Jack
Almost There...
Almost There...
Posts: 783
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2015 3:44 pm
Location: Vista, CA
Has thanked: 141 times
Been thanked: 240 times
Contact:

Quark and Filter Test on an AR

Post by Starry Jack »

I had the most exciting session visually on my monitor this morning and was so excited to see such moments of clarity.

I experimented with adding filters on to the nose of my ASI174 to see if I was getting abberant light out of the Quark. Tell me which your setup you prefer. Of course it is difficult to draw too many conclusions if the focus is off, etc, but I did the best I could to keep "all things equal".

It was interesting to note that the 12nm naturally made the exposures longer which reduced my frame rate while the UV/IR Cut did not have such a dramatic darkening effect. Also, in AS3, the 12nm produced much higher quality frames than either UV/IR CUT or NONE. With the 12nm I got 100 of 200 that were above 50% in quality while with the others I got only 25 or so above 50%.

Aeries D-ERF; 152mm; ASI174; Tilter; No Focal Reducer; Filters used were 12nm, UV/IR Cut or No Filter. NO FLATS (I was hurrying to catch good seeing).

12nm
08_31_02  ASI174 NO FR NO FLAT QUARK 0 12NM-4-11376 as3 to imppg to gimp.jpg
08_31_02 ASI174 NO FR NO FLAT QUARK 0 12NM-4-11376 as3 to imppg to gimp.jpg (684.2 KiB) Viewed 1668 times
UV/IR CUT
08_37_46  ASI174 NO FR NO FLAT QUARK 0 UVIR CUT-4-10707 as3 to imppg to gimp.jpg
08_37_46 ASI174 NO FR NO FLAT QUARK 0 UVIR CUT-4-10707 as3 to imppg to gimp.jpg (784.93 KiB) Viewed 1668 times
NO FILTER
08_34_38 ASI174 NO FR NO FLATQUARK 0 NO FILTER-4-10964 as3 to imppg to gimp.jpg
08_34_38 ASI174 NO FR NO FLATQUARK 0 NO FILTER-4-10964 as3 to imppg to gimp.jpg (706.71 KiB) Viewed 1668 times
Having fun,


Explore Scientific 152mm f6.5 achromat
Aeries D-ERF
Quark Chromosphere f27 native, (f14 when focal reduced)
Mallincam .5x focal reducer (large format)
12nm Filter
ZWO174 (IMX249 chip 5um)
Huge Sense of Adventure Viewing Creation
User avatar
MAURITS
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 8507
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2018 4:37 pm
Location: Belgium
Has thanked: 2412 times
Been thanked: 4786 times
Contact:

Re: Quark and Filter Test on an AR

Post by MAURITS »

Jack, for me the middle picture (UV/IR cut).


Regards,
Maurits

Vista del Cielo Observatory

www.vistadelcielo.be
Starry Jack
Almost There...
Almost There...
Posts: 783
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2015 3:44 pm
Location: Vista, CA
Has thanked: 141 times
Been thanked: 240 times
Contact:

Re: Quark and Filter Test on an AR

Post by Starry Jack »

I agree! From now on it is part of my arsenal.


Explore Scientific 152mm f6.5 achromat
Aeries D-ERF
Quark Chromosphere f27 native, (f14 when focal reduced)
Mallincam .5x focal reducer (large format)
12nm Filter
ZWO174 (IMX249 chip 5um)
Huge Sense of Adventure Viewing Creation
User avatar
Valery
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 4059
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2012 3:13 pm
Has thanked: 156 times
Been thanked: 893 times

Re: Quark and Filter Test on an AR

Post by Valery »

All I can say is that this sample of Quark is poor and should be replaced.


Valery


"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.
User avatar
Montana
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 34559
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:25 pm
Location: Cheshire, UK
Has thanked: 17666 times
Been thanked: 8787 times

Re: Quark and Filter Test on an AR

Post by Montana »

I too like the middle one best :bow a flat field will correct the uneven field.

Alexandra


User avatar
Valery
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 4059
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2012 3:13 pm
Has thanked: 156 times
Been thanked: 893 times

Re: Quark and Filter Test on an AR

Post by Valery »

Montana wrote: Mon Oct 07, 2019 9:25 am I too like the middle one best :bow a flat field will correct the uneven field.

Alexandra
It will correct only brightness variations. But will not correct the contrast variations and details visibility.


Valery


"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.
Starry Jack
Almost There...
Almost There...
Posts: 783
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2015 3:44 pm
Location: Vista, CA
Has thanked: 141 times
Been thanked: 240 times
Contact:

Re: Quark and Filter Test on an AR

Post by Starry Jack »

Val,
This is where my less experienced eye is having difficulty seeing what you are seeing.

QUOTE:
It will correct only brightness variations. But will not correct the contrast variations and details visibility.
END QUOTE (I can’t figure out how to properly quote)

I’d love to understand more because I trust your opinion. Can you describe another way what I should be seeing? I will keep digging in to what you are saying.

Best,
Jack.


Explore Scientific 152mm f6.5 achromat
Aeries D-ERF
Quark Chromosphere f27 native, (f14 when focal reduced)
Mallincam .5x focal reducer (large format)
12nm Filter
ZWO174 (IMX249 chip 5um)
Huge Sense of Adventure Viewing Creation
User avatar
Montana
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 34559
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:25 pm
Location: Cheshire, UK
Has thanked: 17666 times
Been thanked: 8787 times

Re: Quark and Filter Test on an AR

Post by Montana »

I agree Valery, the images are slightly off band but that can be easily corrected with the tuning dial. But no Quark is perfect, if you wanted perfection you would buy a Solar Spectrum or a Daystar Quantum. It all depends on what you are willing to accept. Jack could send this back, get a lot of hassle and get an even worse one back. It all depends on how imperfect an imperfect product you are willing to accept and I guess this is Jack's choice. As far as Daystar would be concerned they would think this is absolutely fine.

Alexandra


User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42269
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20424 times
Been thanked: 10243 times
Contact:

Re: Quark and Filter Test on an AR

Post by marktownley »

Nice shots Jack! You'll get an even better final result with a flat. Should be standard in the imaging process.


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
Starry Jack
Almost There...
Almost There...
Posts: 783
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2015 3:44 pm
Location: Vista, CA
Has thanked: 141 times
Been thanked: 240 times
Contact:

Re: Quark and Filter Test on an AR

Post by Starry Jack »

I appreciate the input very much. I think I am understanding what Val is saying better now and I agree with Alexandra’s assessment...after reviewing many of my photos Daystar said I have a very good Quark for a standard Quark. If I wanted better I would upgrade for $$$ but...they said I have five years to send it back in for performance issues if I felt strongly about performance.

I’m going to keep testing and IMPROVING in both my captures and processing. Frankly I am having a ton of fun and am grateful for the coaching.

Lastly...AAARGH...yes Mark, I must be more diligent about my flats. I did spend one entire session testing fldifferent flat settings. I came to the conclusion that a modest racking of the focuser was as good as a major rack of the focuser and 5 frames was better than 10+ frames. I tried the tshirt method a while ago and will test that one again.

Cheers to you all,
Jack


Explore Scientific 152mm f6.5 achromat
Aeries D-ERF
Quark Chromosphere f27 native, (f14 when focal reduced)
Mallincam .5x focal reducer (large format)
12nm Filter
ZWO174 (IMX249 chip 5um)
Huge Sense of Adventure Viewing Creation
User avatar
Valery
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 4059
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2012 3:13 pm
Has thanked: 156 times
Been thanked: 893 times

Re: Quark and Filter Test on an AR

Post by Valery »

08_34_38 ASI174 NO FR NO FLATQUARK 0 FF.jpg
08_34_38 ASI174 NO FR NO FLATQUARK 0 FF.jpg (931.08 KiB) Viewed 1522 times
Jack,

Here is what you can get with a Flat Filed applied. May be somewhat better. But in any case not satisfying results.

So, better set it back and ask for replacement with really good sample. If not - get back your money and better to make a PST Mod-2. You at least will come out with satisfying results.


Valery


"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.
User avatar
Carbon60
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 14204
Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2012 12:33 pm
Location: Lancashire, UK
Has thanked: 8415 times
Been thanked: 8161 times

Re: Quark and Filter Test on an AR

Post by Carbon60 »

Hi Jack,

So long as you are having fun, that’s all that really matters. However, once you’ve got through the initial stages of excitement I’m sure you’ll start on the long road to perfection. By then you might be prepared to take the plunge and upgrade from the Quark. You know it’s going to happen, it’s just a question of time ;)

Stu


H-alpha, WL and Ca II K imaging kit for various image scales.
Fluxgate Magnetometers (1s and 150s Cadence).
Radio meteor detector.
More images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/solarcarbon60/
Starry Jack
Almost There...
Almost There...
Posts: 783
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2015 3:44 pm
Location: Vista, CA
Has thanked: 141 times
Been thanked: 240 times
Contact:

Re: Quark and Filter Test on an AR

Post by Starry Jack »

Alert,
Thanks for the trial flat. I plan of a round of testing Saturday morning with flats.

Stu, you are a terrible!!!! (Kidding) Just when I convince myself that good is good enough you put the bug in me to keep chasing for perfection.

I’d also love to get back to my PST mod but it is so nice to simply open the door to the observatory and view...when I can fix my standard BF5 in its cell I may try again. I know Val would love that! :D


Explore Scientific 152mm f6.5 achromat
Aeries D-ERF
Quark Chromosphere f27 native, (f14 when focal reduced)
Mallincam .5x focal reducer (large format)
12nm Filter
ZWO174 (IMX249 chip 5um)
Huge Sense of Adventure Viewing Creation
Post Reply