DayStar Original Quark Eyepiece Solar Filter for Refractors: Calcium H Line Model # DSZCH

1. What is the DayStar Quark "Eyepiece"?

The DayStar "Original-Style" Quark Eyepiece Filter is a special type of combination filter/eyepiece holder that allows you to view the Sun in Sodium-H light with most refractor telescopes. Although DayStar and some other sites refer to this item as an eyepiece, and while it may look like one externally, note that it is not an actual eyepiece.

The Original Quark for Sodium is meant for use on refractors of f/7 or longer focal ratio (see additional details in section 4 below). Just insert the Quark into your diagonal, add a 1.25" eyepiece, warm it up, and view! This device essentially converts your normal refractor telescope into a narrowband solar telescope.

The new, all-in-one design of the Quark marries high quality components of adapters, snouts (nosepiece barrels), and Daystar Calcium filter into one simple assembly. Through design efficiency and optimization, users can now enjoy the known high quality optics of DayStar at an affordable price. Baffles have been added to increase contrast and AR coatings are optimized for the 397nm wavelength.

2. Why Calcium H-Line?

Many astronomers forget that the Calcium H-line and K-line yield virtually identical views of the Sun. Solar researchers who only image the Sun with CCD cameras often choose the K-Line for purely research purposes. Sadly, with Calcium K-line filters, many older astronomers are unable to see the lower wavelength visually and miss out on all the fun. DayStar offers higher wavelength Calcium H-line filters for visual observers so that most clients can enjoy Calcium line views.

The exact bandpass of the Quark Calcium H-Line you receive will be around 5 Å. DayStar does not mark individual units with their specific FWHM bandpass, and we cannot test and cherry-pick specific Quarks for customers.

3. How do I use a DayStar Quark?

As mentioned above, just insert the Quark into your diagonal on compatible refractor telescopes, insert your eyepiece in the Quark, warm it up, and enjoy high-powered views of the Sun. The fully optimized design of the Quark eliminates the need for any additional adapters. It is all combined in one lightweight eyepiece-sized device.

The Quark requires a power source for operation and it needs to be plugged in and warmed up for about 10 minutes before you can use it. A wall-mounted AC adapter is included for this. They have even reduced power consumption, so the Quark can now operate all day off a small, palm-sized optional battery pack.

Note that changing the focus of the telescope requires the Quark to retune, and this again requires a few more minutes for the unit to stabilize before you get the best views of the Sun again.

4. What telescopes can I use the DayStar Quark with?

For use on F/7 or longer focal ratio refractors, the user needn't worry about configurations. Just insert in your diagonal, add an eyepiece and view. Short focal ratio refractors will need a 2x or 2.5x Tele Vue Powermate to get the best performance.

For refractors up to 80mm in aperture, the thermal load is low enough on the optical system, and you do not need any additional rear mounted Energy Rejection Filter (ERF).

For larger refractors up to 150mm, you can safely use a suitable rear-mounted UV/IR cut filter (not included), available from several different maufacturers. The UV/IR cut filter functions as the ERF and it should be mounted in front of your diagonal. Important - make sure you use a UV-IR Cut filter that passes the Calcium H-line. Some commercially available and popular UV-IR Cut (such as the Baader filter) block the Calcium H-Line and cannot be used.

For refractors larger than 150mm, DayStar recommends that the telescope aperture be stopped down to no more than 150mm.

Note that unlike other Quark models, this Calcium H-Line model is NOT compatible with red or yellow glass ERFs. The Calcium Quark also can NOT be used with front mount ERF or other telescope designs.

5. Additional Specifications / Features

• Calcium H-Line (3968.5Å); Approx. 5Å FWHM
• 1.25" nosepiece with safety indent slot slides directly into diagonal or focuser
• Standard 1.25 eyepiece drawtube output with optional 2" eyepiece holder available separately
• Brass compression ring to protect eyepiece
• Uses USB power, 5v 1.5amp
• Includes 90-240V AC wall adapter with international plug adapters
• 5 year US warranty
• Optional 8-hour battery pack available
• Integrated 25mm blocking filter with 21mm clear filter aperture
• Best performance with f/7 to f/30 refractors at full aperture (up to 150mm)
• Ships in convenient twist-case for safe, dust-free storage
• Full disk viewing possible on refractors up to ~1800mm focal length
• Optional T-mount or C-mount adapters available separately for using the Quark with imaging or video cameras or other accessories
• Uniformity: SE (Standard Edition)