Combo Gemini

Daystar Quark Combo Gemini Hydrogen Alpha Filter

Daystar Quark Combo Gemini brings the best solar views with ultimate flexibility and compatibility! Contains both Prominence and Chromosphere bandpass filters for instant slide-action switching between either view on SCT and Mak telescopes as well as refractors with the optional 2.8x or 4.3x telecentric barlows.

Now, observers can enjoy the best of both bandwidth options in one easy to use tool with no equipment swapping or refocusing of any kind.

Push the slider arm side to side like in an eye exam to see the broad stroked prominences of wider bandpass, then the high contrast of narrow bandpass.

Combo Gemini switchable dual bandpass Prominence & Chromosphere filter. DSZGC $2,495.00

Quark Gemini offers BOTH “prominence” or “chromosphere” all-in-one.
~ Enjoy both Chrom and Prom together $2,495.00

For use on SCTs, Maks, or refractors of F/15 to F/30. The user needn’t worry about configurations. Just insert Quark in your diagonal, add an eyepiece and view.

Telecentric barlows compatible with the Combo Quark are sold separately.

• SCT and Mak users need to purchase an Energy Rejection Filter specific to their telescope for safe operation.  

• SCT owners must employ a front mount, off-axis, aperture reduced Energy Rejection Filter (ERF) in order to achieve optimum performance. This front mount ERF will generate a slower focal ratio through aperture reduction while preventing heat build-up in the optical tube assembly.

• Maktsutov owners who operate at a native ~F/15 focal ratio do not need to reduce the aperture of the telescope, but must use front mount energy rejection to prevent overheating of the optical tube assembly.

Exact filter bandpass will vary based on final telescope application, so QUARK* assemblies are qualified with one element to show best prominences and the other to show best surface contrast (chromosphere).  No specific FWHM bandpass is designated.  

Outreach astronomers can use the prom vs chrom switch to demonstrate each feature with an extra teaching moment about wing shift going on in fast moving prominences.  Imagers can use the same switch to create comparison images without the need to exchange equipment or refocus with short lived features.

The fully optimized design eliminates the need for any adapters.  It’s all combined in one lightweight eyepiece sized device. The new, compact design configuration eliminates unnecessary components, weight and associated costs. We even reduced power consumption, so the Quark* can now operate all day off a small, palm-sized optional battery pack. Baffles have been added to increase contrast and AR coatings are optimized for the 656nm wavelength.

*The QUARK* assembly is a product of DayStar Instruments, using DayStar Filters’ Fabry Perot etalon technology.
** QUARK Filters may be used at shorter and longer focal ratios than recommended. F-ratios of F/9 and higher will offer a dimmer visual view and may only be bright enough for photographic applications. F-ratios of less than F/4 will be brighter, but also widen the effective FWHM bandpass performance of the QUARK filter.

A note about QUARK* Uniformity Standards

All purchases and repairs are subject to our terms of sale and / or advance replacement policy.

  • Contains TWO separate Fabry Perot Etalon elements which may be shifted safely via push-pull into view.  
  • A hand-matched pair of narrower (<0.5Å FWHM) and wider (>0.6Å FWHM) etalons shall be SE grade and independently tuneable.
  • Front, male 1.25″ eyepiece snout with safety indent slots directly into your diagonal or focuser
  • Includes 2° off axis 1.25″ snout adapter for use with off axis SCT and Mak ERFs.
  • Standard rear female 1.25 eyepiece drawtube output with optional 2″ accessories available.
  • Brass compression ring to protect your eyepiece. Uses USB power, 5v 1.5amp
  • Includes 90-240VAC wall adapter with international plug adapters.
  • Tuning knob allows wing shifting +/- 0.5Ã with detents at every 0.1Å LED indicator for power, warming, ready, fault.
  • 5 year warranty
  • Integrated 25mm blocking filter, 21mm clear filter aperture. 
  • No barlow lenses or focusing elements included. This unit is a 0-power filter only. Telecentric barlows are available separately.
  • Best performance with F/15 – F/30 refractors or Mak’s full aperture; or SCTs and Maks with off axis, aperture reduced ERF.
  • Full disk viewing possible on refractors up to ~1800mm focal length
  • No aperture limitations. May be used on larger refractors for higher magnification views.
  • Ships in convenient hard case for safe, dust-free storage.
  • Optional 8-hour battery pack available.