54 replies to this topic

[seasparky89]

I use my AT-102ED, 72EDii and 60ED scopes with my Quark Chromosphere.  All do very welll, with the 102ED providing highly details closer up, and the smaller scopes showing full disc images.  IMHO, all I need with the Quark.

 

Stan

[vrodriguez2324]

Hi Victor & All,

 

I am posting my interest here on this thread. With my several Quarks (Na, Mg & H-Alpha), I have used the 80mm x 400mm, f/5 (aka ST-80). I have purchased the SW ED 72mm x 420mm, f/6, but have yet to try it with the Quarks !!! I hope to read about your experience since you have both now. I hope the 72mm gets me the full disk I seek and hopefully better figure on the ED glass as compared to the simple "faster" Achro. doublet ST-80. Two of my ST-80 units have upgraded focus, so the 2 inch is available to me. I have also used the ST-80 with white light filters as well.

 

One additional consideration is what eyepiece to use to get maximum True Field of View (TFoV) to maximize the black which "frames" the full disk of the sun. I've been using a 32mm Plossl or a 40mm Plossl, but was contemplating other, wider AFoV eyepieces.

 

Best,

 

Ed

Hi Ed, 

 

That is quite a Quark collection! I peruse the Solar Observing and Imaging forums regularly. While I think Ha is the most dynamic and engaging I have grown to like the presentation and unique features of Mg, Na, Ca, and white light. 

 

Like you, I also think framing an object is important whether it is the Pleiades, Double Cluster, or the Sun. It was the whole reason I bought the little 60mm f/7 (415mm focal length) achro. The Sun fits comfortably and is aesthetically pleasing. I predict the 420mm focal length of the 72 ED will have a similar presentation (its only 5mm longer than what I currently use). But I am also curious to see if there is anything to be gained in the shorter ST80.

 

I'll report my findings.

 

I use the 40mm the most. What about you?

 

-Victor

Beautiful small scopes!  When it rains it pours apparently for you and small refractors.

 

Next solar H-a purchase for you: wide field (clear aperture over 25mm) binoviewers!

 

Sun looks amazing and the details really pop.

I keep missing out on some William Optic Binoviewers in the classifieds. I don't like to buy new, but I may have to. The Sun is doing some crazy things right now and I want to experience it with binoviewers before the end of the solar maximum.

 

-Victor

Edited by vrodriguez2324, 24 March 2025 - 09:21 AM.

[vrodriguez2324]

I use my AT-102ED, 72EDii and 60ED scopes with my Quark Chromosphere.  All do very welll, with the 102ED providing highly details closer up, and the smaller scopes showing full disc images.  IMHO, all I need with the Quark.

 

Stan

The 60ED is even shorter. How do you like it in terms of framing?

 

I am actually trying to go in the other direction, something longer in a 120mm f/8.3

Edited by vrodriguez2324, 23 March 2025 - 11:50 PM.

[eblanken]

Hi Victor,

 

I'm just headed for bed, so I'll keep this short for now and offer more participation for later . . . I hope to set up a parallel trio of Quarks on three 80mm OTAs for outreach events later this summer:

 

{A} Sodium Yellow (Na) first (to give people what they expect to see), then

{B} Magnesium Green (Mg) to "mess with their heads" and finally

{C} Hydrogen Alpha Red . . . I would like to have same full disk "nicely framed Sun" for each. I commonly use 40mm Plossl, but am open to other eyepieces too . . . I have a Lunt 50mm with the Feathertouch and the Lunt 21mm-7mm ZOOM as well in H-Alpha . . .

 

I like to share the science behind the technology with anyone who will "lend me their ears" . . . 

 

Very Best Regards,

 

Ed

 

P.S. Private Message (PM) if you want . . . 

Edited by eblanken, 24 March 2025 - 02:12 AM.

[vrodriguez2324]

I finally scored some Binoviewers. Thank you Jeff!

 

https://www.cloudyni...ics-binoviewer/

 

Will these be good with the Quark? Possibly some general nighttime astronomy also? I guess I need a couple more Omni Plossls. 

Edited by vrodriguez2324, 24 March 2025 - 10:55 PM.