Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42272
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20435 times
- Been thanked: 10243 times
- Contact:
Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Sunday wasn't as sunny as I would have liked - the weather forecast proclaimed 'sunny spells', I think mostly cloudy would have been a better description
I've found a USB cable for my Quark that has a tight fit, so I decided to give it a try on the APM 100mm f8 scope. Considering I was imaging in passing gaps in the cloud the seeing wasn't too bad. I decided to do a comparison with my Quark native single stack, and then double stacking it with a naked PST etalon. There's no flats etc applied to the images and both SS and DS so excuse the dust bunnies, I need to clean the chip, it's the first time i've used the IMX174 chipped PGR in a while.
small-spots-Ha-Quark-100mm-f8-IMX174-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr
small-spots-Ha-Quark-Double-Stack-100mm-f8-IMX174-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr
ar13030-Ha-Quark-100mm-f8-IMX174-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr
ar13030-Ha-Quark-Double-Stack-100mm-f8-IMX174-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr
Both the SS and DS images were processed identically in each pair, same sharpening, same stretch. What was apparent is there is more dynamic range in the DS data, it takes up a wider portion of the histogram. I used the same exposure (8ms) for both, just increased the gain in the DS image to get same brightness on the histogram.
I like the single stack, but the double stack is my preference!
Hope you like.
Mark
I've found a USB cable for my Quark that has a tight fit, so I decided to give it a try on the APM 100mm f8 scope. Considering I was imaging in passing gaps in the cloud the seeing wasn't too bad. I decided to do a comparison with my Quark native single stack, and then double stacking it with a naked PST etalon. There's no flats etc applied to the images and both SS and DS so excuse the dust bunnies, I need to clean the chip, it's the first time i've used the IMX174 chipped PGR in a while.
small-spots-Ha-Quark-100mm-f8-IMX174-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr
small-spots-Ha-Quark-Double-Stack-100mm-f8-IMX174-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr
ar13030-Ha-Quark-100mm-f8-IMX174-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr
ar13030-Ha-Quark-Double-Stack-100mm-f8-IMX174-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr
Both the SS and DS images were processed identically in each pair, same sharpening, same stretch. What was apparent is there is more dynamic range in the DS data, it takes up a wider portion of the histogram. I used the same exposure (8ms) for both, just increased the gain in the DS image to get same brightness on the histogram.
I like the single stack, but the double stack is my preference!
Hope you like.
Mark
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!
- Carbon60
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 14205
- Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2012 12:33 pm
- Location: Lancashire, UK
- Has thanked: 8415 times
- Been thanked: 8161 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Nice comparison, Mark. The difference is plain to see. At 8 ms you’ve got a nice bright image at the chip. With my 150 double stacked I’m running at 20-25 ms without using any gain, which doesn’t help when the seeing conditions are borderline. Too much glass and too many coloured/polarising filters in the way
It would also be interesting to see the SS/DS comparison on a juicy prom.
Stu.
It would also be interesting to see the SS/DS comparison on a juicy prom.
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/
Fluxgate Magnetometers (1s and 150s Cadence).
Radio meteor detector.
More images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/solarcarbon60/
- ffellah
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 11171
- Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2014 6:46 pm
- Location: Westport, CT USA
- Has thanked: 9144 times
- Been thanked: 6025 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Definitely better contrast in DS, but they are both very good, Mark.
Franco
Franco
- rigel123
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 7258
- Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2021 9:26 pm
- Location: Mason, OH
- Has thanked: 8314 times
- Been thanked: 8537 times
- Contact:
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Nice shots Mark, the increase in contrast is easy to see!
Warren
Lunt LS60T DS
Orion ED80T CF
Meade ETX LS6
Lunt CaK BF1200
Lunt WL Wedge
Baader Photographic Film
ASI174MM
Skyris 236M
Player One Saturn-M SQR
https://www.astrobin.com/users/rigel123/
Lunt LS60T DS
Orion ED80T CF
Meade ETX LS6
Lunt CaK BF1200
Lunt WL Wedge
Baader Photographic Film
ASI174MM
Skyris 236M
Player One Saturn-M SQR
https://www.astrobin.com/users/rigel123/
- Montana
- Librarian
- Posts: 34560
- Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:25 pm
- Location: Cheshire, UK
- Has thanked: 17667 times
- Been thanked: 8789 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
That's great Mark, your single stack Quark is quite phenomenal
It would be interesting to compare the DS with the filter from AL that I gave you when you visited last, have you had a chance to look at that yet?
Alexandra
It would be interesting to compare the DS with the filter from AL that I gave you when you visited last, have you had a chance to look at that yet?
Alexandra
-
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 2150
- Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2015 4:46 pm
- Location: France
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 2713 times
- Contact:
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
The difference is stricking. Filaments are much dark in DS, and the double limb effet is minimal.
Very illustrative !
Very illustrative !
Christian Viladrich
Co-author of "Planetary Astronomy"
http://planetary-astronomy.com/
Editor of "Solar Astronomy"
http://www.astronomiesolaire.com/
Co-author of "Planetary Astronomy"
http://planetary-astronomy.com/
Editor of "Solar Astronomy"
http://www.astronomiesolaire.com/
- Valery
- 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: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Very interesting and very illustrative comparison. Thanks, Mark, for letting us see it.
BTW can you, please, show how the PST etalon is attached to Quark?
Valery
BTW can you, please, show how the PST etalon is attached to Quark?
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.
Largest full size 185 - 356mm Dielectric Energy Rejection Filters (D-ERF) by ARIES Instruments.
- eroel
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 9408
- Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:45 pm
- Location: México D.F.
- Been thanked: 4904 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Mark:
An interesting and clear comparison.
Thanks for sharing it.
Eric.
An interesting and clear comparison.
Thanks for sharing it.
Eric.
- rsfoto
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 6159
- Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:30 pm
- Location: San Luis Potosi, México
- Has thanked: 9401 times
- Been thanked: 5568 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Hi Mark,
Excellent results.
Excellent results.
regards Rainer
Observatorio Real de 14
San Luis Potosi Mexico
North 22° West 101°
Observatorio Real de 14
San Luis Potosi Mexico
North 22° West 101°
-
- Almost There...
- Posts: 843
- Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2017 2:53 pm
- Has thanked: 1640 times
- Been thanked: 878 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Excellent comparison and images
- KMH
- Almost There...
- Posts: 987
- Joined: Sat Feb 22, 2014 4:45 pm
- Has thanked: 641 times
- Been thanked: 725 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Great images and an interesting comparison.
A question: Obviously there are fundamental differences such as the double limb and sunspot visibility. But, beyond that, to what extent can you approximate the overall appearance of the DS image by altering the processing on the SS image?
Kevin
A question: Obviously there are fundamental differences such as the double limb and sunspot visibility. But, beyond that, to what extent can you approximate the overall appearance of the DS image by altering the processing on the SS image?
Kevin
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42272
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20435 times
- Been thanked: 10243 times
- Contact:
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
I've tried this filter a few times now on different setups with no success sadly
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!
- pedro
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 12256
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 8:26 pm
- Location: Portugal
- Has thanked: 14 times
- Been thanked: 6577 times
- Contact:
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Great comparison Mark
Pedro Re'
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42272
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20435 times
- Been thanked: 10243 times
- Contact:
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Sure thing Valery, here's a couple of pictures of the arrangement:
20220613_202710 by Mark Townley, on Flickr
20220613_202759 by Mark Townley, on Flickr
A bit of description to explain it: In the back of the Quark there is a Quark to M42 adapter, then a 42mm to 28mm step down ring connects the etalon housing, at the other end of this I have a M50 to M52 step ring, followed by a M52 to M42 step ring. On the back of this the 1.25" Baader click lock connects via a M42 thread.
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!
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42272
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20435 times
- Been thanked: 10243 times
- Contact:
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
And one last picture from the session with the Quark, sadly no single stack comparison.
decayed-ar-Ha-Quark-Double-Stack-100mm-f8-IMX174-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr
And the only other image, The CaK full disk 60mm aperture with the 800mm focal length APM and the ZWO183 camera. Need to look at this as have a bit of sag in the filter train - gradient across the disk...
CaK-FD-60mm-800mm-zwo183mm-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr
CaK-FD-60mm-800mm-zwo183mm-colour by Mark Townley, on Flickr
decayed-ar-Ha-Quark-Double-Stack-100mm-f8-IMX174-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr
And the only other image, The CaK full disk 60mm aperture with the 800mm focal length APM and the ZWO183 camera. Need to look at this as have a bit of sag in the filter train - gradient across the disk...
CaK-FD-60mm-800mm-zwo183mm-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr
CaK-FD-60mm-800mm-zwo183mm-colour by Mark Townley, on Flickr
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!
- arnedanielsen
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 7285
- Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 10:42 pm
- Location: Vestby, Norway
- Has thanked: 6181 times
- Been thanked: 7142 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Excellent images and comparison, Mark!
I love how the DS image comes to life with more contrast and 3D effect.
Good work on the CaK as well!
Best regards,
Arne
I love how the DS image comes to life with more contrast and 3D effect.
Good work on the CaK as well!
Best regards,
Arne
-
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 1668
- Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2019 6:44 pm
- Location: Germany
- Has thanked: 2977 times
- Been thanked: 2082 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Looks like the seeing was very cooperative on this session.
I can see why the quark got used a lot, its a good one.
Thx for the comparison. One day i might try something like this DS too.
I can see why the quark got used a lot, its a good one.
Thx for the comparison. One day i might try something like this DS too.
Triband C9.25
H-a: Quark Chromosphere with BF mod
WL: Antlia 500nm/ 3nm, 393 nm/ 3nm
Ca-K: homebrew (includes 2x 1.5A filters, thanks Apollo)
Player One Apollo Max + Mars MII
Barlows:
-2x Gerd Düring 2.7x
-2x TMB 1.8x
H-a: Quark Chromosphere with BF mod
WL: Antlia 500nm/ 3nm, 393 nm/ 3nm
Ca-K: homebrew (includes 2x 1.5A filters, thanks Apollo)
Player One Apollo Max + Mars MII
Barlows:
-2x Gerd Düring 2.7x
-2x TMB 1.8x
-
- Im an EXPERT!
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2022 11:08 am
- Has thanked: 696 times
- Been thanked: 647 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Gorgeous. DS definitely wins, but only once you've seen it (ie, the SS would be v pleasing by itself, but then along strolls DS &...). V nice CaK too - my eyes must be going b/c I can't see any significant gradient.
-
- Ohhhhhh My!
- Posts: 96
- Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2020 4:26 pm
- Location: Hong Kong
- Has thanked: 230 times
- Been thanked: 176 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Mark, very nice results! Thanks for sharing!
- Rusted
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 1738
- Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2018 11:00 am
- Location: Central Denmark
- Has thanked: 8016 times
- Been thanked: 1938 times
- Contact:
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
The DS images make the others look as if you forgot to cycle them through the ImPPG wash and dry.
http://fullerscopes.blogspot.dk/
H-alpha: Baader 160mm D-ERF, iStar 150/10 H-alpha objective, 2" Baader 35nm H-a, 2" Beloptik KG3,
Lunt 60MT etalon, Lunt B1200S2 BF, Assorted T-S GPCs or 2x "Shorty" Barlow, ZWO ASI174.
H-alpha: Baader 160mm D-ERF, iStar 150/10 H-alpha objective, 2" Baader 35nm H-a, 2" Beloptik KG3,
Lunt 60MT etalon, Lunt B1200S2 BF, Assorted T-S GPCs or 2x "Shorty" Barlow, ZWO ASI174.
- ffellah
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 11171
- Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2014 6:46 pm
- Location: Westport, CT USA
- Has thanked: 9144 times
- Been thanked: 6025 times
- MAURITS
- 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:
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42272
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20435 times
- Been thanked: 10243 times
- Contact:
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Thank you everyone for your kind words, I hope the thread is useful for future reference.
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!
-
- Almost There...
- Posts: 604
- Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2021 5:43 pm
- Has thanked: 1071 times
- Been thanked: 1985 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
I just tested my Quark with the PST mod.
SINGLE STACK
DOUBLE STACK
Results are interesting but conditions was far from ideal. It was windy and deadly hot outside. Gonna test again tomorrow morning.
SINGLE STACK
DOUBLE STACK
Results are interesting but conditions was far from ideal. It was windy and deadly hot outside. Gonna test again tomorrow morning.
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42272
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20435 times
- Been thanked: 10243 times
- Contact:
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Looks promising Simon!
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!
- JochenM
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 2839
- Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 2:26 pm
- Location: Belgium
- Has thanked: 1200 times
- Been thanked: 1619 times
- Contact:
- marios i.
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 1727
- Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2014 8:38 am
- Location: Cyprus-Nicosia-Mammari
- Has thanked: 1707 times
- Been thanked: 1125 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Beautiful results Mark!! Thank you for sharing
Marios S.Ioannou
My Gallery https://www.flickr.com/photos/195609307@N07/albums
Sketcher/Visual Observer
My Gallery https://www.flickr.com/photos/195609307@N07/albums
Sketcher/Visual Observer
- nicosolcy
- Almost There...
- Posts: 679
- Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2016 5:10 am
- Location: Nicosia, Cyprus
- Has thanked: 1212 times
- Been thanked: 906 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Mark, double stack all the way to the bank!
The difference is quite dramatic!
The difference is quite dramatic!
Nick
---------------------------------------------------------------
Photosphere Junkie!
Borg 77 EDII f.6.6 (510mm), APM Herschel Wedge (Baader ND1.8)
Lunt 40mm SS FTF
ZWO ASI183MM, SW SolarQuest Mount
Baader Solar Continuum 540.0nm (FWHM 7.5) / Altair G-Band 430.3nm (FWHM 2nm) / Antlia K-Line 393.3nm (FWHM 3nm)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Photosphere Junkie!
Borg 77 EDII f.6.6 (510mm), APM Herschel Wedge (Baader ND1.8)
Lunt 40mm SS FTF
ZWO ASI183MM, SW SolarQuest Mount
Baader Solar Continuum 540.0nm (FWHM 7.5) / Altair G-Band 430.3nm (FWHM 2nm) / Antlia K-Line 393.3nm (FWHM 3nm)
- nicspenceryork
- Almost There...
- Posts: 820
- Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2021 11:11 am
- Location: York UK
- Has thanked: 5856 times
- Been thanked: 1256 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
I learn so much from your posts, amazing comparison,
Nic
Nic
-
- Ohhhhhh My!
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2022 8:08 am
- Location: Nitra, Slovakia
- Has thanked: 48 times
- Been thanked: 76 times
- Contact:
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Great comparison from both of you. If I understand righ, double stack here mean the stack of Daystar Quark with PST. Does anyone tried to stack two Quarks?
- pedro
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 12256
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 8:26 pm
- Location: Portugal
- Has thanked: 14 times
- Been thanked: 6577 times
- Contact:
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
I also plan to use my Quark with the PST etalon. I already have all the necessary bits and pieces
Pedro Re'
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
- pedro
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 12256
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 8:26 pm
- Location: Portugal
- Has thanked: 14 times
- Been thanked: 6577 times
- Contact:
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
DS DAYSTAR Chromosphere / PST Etalon
- Attachments
-
- DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-001.jpg (532.33 KiB) Viewed 354 times
-
- DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-004.jpg (425.5 KiB) Viewed 354 times
-
- DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-006.jpg (625.19 KiB) Viewed 354 times
-
- DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-010.jpg (712.08 KiB) Viewed 354 times
-
- DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-012.jpg (467.48 KiB) Viewed 354 times
-
- DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-014.jpg (463.84 KiB) Viewed 354 times
Pedro Re'
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
- pedro
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 12256
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 8:26 pm
- Location: Portugal
- Has thanked: 14 times
- Been thanked: 6577 times
- Contact:
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack PST Etalon
- Attachments
-
- DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617_mosaic.jpg (598.2 KiB) Viewed 353 times
Pedro Re'
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42272
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20435 times
- Been thanked: 10243 times
- Contact:
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Thanks for the additions Pedro!
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!
- pedro
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 12256
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 8:26 pm
- Location: Portugal
- Has thanked: 14 times
- Been thanked: 6577 times
- Contact:
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
I will try it soon
best regards
best regards
Pedro Re'
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
-
- Ohhhhhh My!
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:03 am
- Been thanked: 203 times
Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June
Very interesting comparisons Mark.