Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

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Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by marktownley »

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 :lol:

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.

Imagesmall-spots-Ha-Quark-100mm-f8-IMX174-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Imagesmall-spots-Ha-Quark-Double-Stack-100mm-f8-IMX174-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Imagear13030-Ha-Quark-100mm-f8-IMX174-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Imagear13030-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.

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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by Carbon60 »

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 :roll:

It would also be interesting to see the SS/DS comparison on a juicy prom.

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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by ffellah »

Definitely better contrast in DS, but they are both very good, Mark.

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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by rigel123 »

Nice shots Mark, the increase in contrast is easy to see!


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by Montana »

That's great Mark, your single stack Quark is quite phenomenal :bow :bow :hamster:

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?

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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by christian viladrich »

The difference is stricking. Filaments are much dark in DS, and the double limb effet is minimal.
Very illustrative !


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by Valery »

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?

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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by eroel »

Mark:
An interesting and clear comparison.
Thanks for sharing it.
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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by rsfoto »

Hi Mark,

Excellent results.


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by torsinadoc »

Excellent comparison and images


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by KMH »

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?

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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by marktownley »

Montana wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 10:59 am 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?
I've tried this filter a few times now on different setups with no success sadly :(


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by pedro »

Great comparison Mark


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by marktownley »

Valery wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 2:06 pm BTW can you, please, show how the PST etalon is attached to Quark?
Sure thing Valery, here's a couple of pictures of the arrangement:

Image20220613_202710 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Image20220613_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.


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by marktownley »

And one last picture from the session with the Quark, sadly no single stack comparison.

Imagedecayed-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...

ImageCaK-FD-60mm-800mm-zwo183mm-bw by Mark Townley, on Flickr

ImageCaK-FD-60mm-800mm-zwo183mm-colour by Mark Townley, on Flickr


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by arnedanielsen »

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!

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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by Dennis »

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.


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by vineyard »

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.


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by sywong2000 »

Mark, very nice results! Thanks for sharing!


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by Rusted »

The DS images make the others look as if you forgot to cycle them through the ImPPG wash and dry. ;)


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by ffellah »

Great additions Mark

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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by MAURITS »

Great comparation Mark.


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by marktownley »

Thank you everyone for your kind words, I hope the thread is useful for future reference.


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by Simon2940 »

I just tested my Quark with the PST mod.

SINGLE STACK
SS Test 01.png
SS Test 01.png (799.34 KiB) Viewed 834 times
DOUBLE STACK
DS Test 01.png
DS Test 01.png (764.79 KiB) Viewed 834 times
Results are interesting but conditions was far from ideal. It was windy and deadly hot outside. Gonna test again tomorrow morning.


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by marktownley »

Looks promising Simon!


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by JochenM »

Nice setup and results, Mark.


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by marios i. »

Beautiful results Mark!! Thank you for sharing


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by nicosolcy »

Mark, double stack all the way to the bank!

The difference is quite dramatic!


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by nicspenceryork »

I learn so much from your posts, amazing comparison,
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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by RomanH »

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?


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by pedro »

I also plan to use my Quark with the PST etalon. I already have all the necessary bits and pieces


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by pedro »

DS DAYSTAR Chromosphere / PST Etalon
Attachments
DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-001.jpg
DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-001.jpg (532.33 KiB) Viewed 354 times
DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-004.jpg
DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-004.jpg (425.5 KiB) Viewed 354 times
DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-006.jpg
DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-006.jpg (625.19 KiB) Viewed 354 times
DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-010.jpg
DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-010.jpg (712.08 KiB) Viewed 354 times
DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-012.jpg
DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-012.jpg (467.48 KiB) Viewed 354 times
DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-014.jpg
DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617-014.jpg (463.84 KiB) Viewed 354 times


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by pedro »

Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack PST Etalon
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DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617_mosaic.jpg
DS_QUARK_PST_Etalon_20220617_mosaic.jpg (598.2 KiB) Viewed 353 times


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by marktownley »

Thanks for the additions Pedro! :)


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by pedro »

I will try it soon

best regards


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Re: Daystar Quark - Single Stack / Double Stack Comparison 12th June

Post by Solbrillante »

Very interesting comparisons Mark.


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