LukeSkywatcher

Do i look/sound deflated?. I feel deflated. 2018 was going to be my year for Solar observing. Now it seems that isnt going to be very productive. My new Quark might make a nice paper weight.

So this is what a "Double" stack looks like?. Seems a bit like a money maker (for retailers/makers) to me. Cant they make a single filter and double the "strength" of it?. Seems silly to have to pay for 2 filters. They could charge 3/4 of the price of 2 filters.

Glad you brought that up. Sorry if i go off topic here a little. When the Sun is quiet in WL (no spots), is there still stuff to see in Ha, such as proms,filaments etc?.

I'll very soon be replacing the Hershel Wedge in the image of my solar setup (1st image) with a Quark Chromosphere: Im very excited about the imminent arrival of my Quark. Ha observing is something ive wanted to do for a long time now (probably from about the same time i started WL observing). I'll be keeping the wedge because i love the view it gives of sunspots and surface granulation.

My Quark has been shipped. No delivery date though. I have a tracking number but can't find anywhere on the website to track it. Once it arrives by Spring I will be happy.

Ive loved W/L observing for a couple of years now but its quite static. Im sure Ha will be a bit more dynamic. Will my variable solar polarizing filter or contnuum filter come in to play at any stage, or are they just W/L filters.

Thats what i was wondering. On the Suns surface its second by second........its an 8 min delay to us here on Earth, but second by second in our real time. Im very excited about solar observing in Ha. Not to mention getting started in Solar imaging.

I'll still use my W/L Hershel wedge. I do love the view it gives. I just wanted something more, so Ha was the obvious choice. Can you see proms etc developing,moving in real time (given that sunlight takes 8 mins to reach us)? I guess my question is, is it better to image the Sun in Ha or observe?.

I'd like to just hook it into the house mains (plug socket in the wall). So, i can plug it into the wall and then into micro port on the other end?. Ive always been impressed with images through a Quark. I know imaging is a skill set in its own. If the views are anything like images i will be happy and obviously, it will lead me to imaging.

The Chromo i bought is an original, so fine for my refrac?.

Been called worse. Time waits for nobody. I have just in the last couple of mins placed an order for a new Chromo Quark. I stupidly didnt order a 1.25". Looking at the official daystar site, i cant see anywhere if there is a 1.25" or 2" model. My scope (70mm) is a 1.25" EP scope. Will the Quark fit?. My SCT can take both. P.S.~Quark is the 2nd most expensive thing ive bought in 10 yrs of buying astro gear. If it is ANYTHING like my Hershel wedge (im sure its better).............worth it.

Im not really looking to buy a new scope for solar or other observing. Would my 8SE be good to use with the Quark?. Its less portable, but not by much really. I think i will go for the Chromo model. Same price, so that isnt a factor. I know from images i have seen that there is lots of surface detail to be seen (snakes etc). Im still none the wiser how to power it. If someone could point me in the direction of a power source, that would be great. Off the shelf please. I have zero DIY skills, so soldering stuff and wiring is out of the question.

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking the prom filter is the way to go but that limits you to observing proms. Would the Chromo model be a better option as it offers up proms and surface details. With the 2nd model, is the quality of the view of proms degraded by much?. It most likely would be used with my 70mm refrac scope because i want the setup to be as portable as possible.

Ah ok, thanks. I get it now. The Quark is literally a Ha filter. You add an EP to view. I thought it was a filter and EP all in one.

A thought crossed my mind today. If i spend X amount on a Quark, why would i use it on a 100 euro scope (70mm Travel scope). Wouldnt i be better off using it on my 8" SCT?. That means i'd also need to buy a solar filter (ready made...please). Then another thought came to mind. The SCT, AFAIK wont find or track the Sun (for safety reasons). I suppose i could track it manually if i just want to observe it. This could be tricky.......looking at the computer screen and tracking with the scopes hand control. So, i find myself with a couple of Q's: 1/ Does the Quark need a computer (USB port) to be powered or can it run off of house mains? 2/ Can you look directly through the Quark EP to observe the Sun (obviously with safety filter in place). I havent read too much about them. Guess i have some homework to do.

Its gonna be a Quark for me. I'll hold off for a coupe of months before buying. Spring 2018 is my time to buy.

Good to hear this. TBH, my head and heart were/are leaning towards the Quark.

I've read that PST can have issues with lens. Lunt, do you get a mount and tripod?. Quark I have heard only great things, but would my 70mm travels cope be suitable?. My Hershel wedge works great with the 70mm travelscope.

I'm looking into Ha set up also. Can't decide on a PST, Lunt or Quark. Budget is open ended. YAY!!!!

Never seen bins with an RDF before. How accurate is it with the optics being below,but to either side?. Would that not put your target between the objective lens'?.

Hi Matt I am not really into AP but i have learned quite a bit over the yrs while here on SGL. There is no single answer to your question. Many factors come into play. The biggest factor is probably light pollution in your location. This is a very localized issue and you really have to play around with exposure times and ISO on your camera until you arrive at a happy medium. Your image is far from the worst i have seen. If you post this thread in the imaging section, you will get lots of great advice.

Congrats on the new scope. They are a thing of beauty.

What is the open mirror/lens part in your second last image?. I'm guessing it is to allow solar projection?. *edit* Sorry, i see it is part of the heat dump system.

"You have to use the Barlow lenses to get any effect. Using just the tube does not change the focal length of the telescope and will not provide any additional magnification". Thats what i was thinking. As i said, its been so long i just cant remember.

So you dont have to keep swapping the moon filter when changing EP's. I cant think of a reason why it wont work. I was going to suggest you put the moon filter on the end of the star diagonal in your scope but noticed you use a Dob, so no diagonal there.