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Shelyak Star Analyser 200

Shelyak Star Analyser 200

by Shelyak
SKU SHK-PF0040
$214.00 USD - $214.00 USD
$214.00 USD
$214.00 USD - $214.00 USD
$214.00 USD
Price Match Policy!
  • Instantly converts your imaging camera into a spectroscope
  • Optimized for use in filter wheels close to the sensor
  • Produces a low-resolution spectrum for every star in the field
  • The ideal, low-cost entry into astronomical spectroscopy
  • Works with your existing DSLR or dedicated astronomy camera
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Shelyak Star Analyser 200

    The Shelyak Star Analyser 200 is the most direct path to exploring the science of starlight, converting your standard astrophotography setup into a capable spectroscope. This simple accessory threads into your filter wheel like any other filter, instantly generating a low-resolution spectrum for every star in your camera's field of view. It is engineered specifically for optical trains where the grating must be placed very close to the camera sensor, making it the definitive choice for integrated filter wheel systems.

    Low-Resolution Spectroscopy: Your First Step into Stellar Science

    The Star Analyser 200 makes your first steps into spectroscopy as simple as taking a picture. By placing the grating in the light path, you can capture and compare the spectral signatures of different stars, revealing their chemical composition, temperature, and radial velocity. There's no complex alignment; you work under the same conditions as you would for standard imaging.

    This approach allows you to see the clear differences between a hot, blue star like Vega and a cool, red star like Betelgeuse. The trade-off is resolution; this is a survey instrument designed for accessibility, not for high-resolution scientific research. It excels at revealing the fundamental characteristics of stars without a steep learning curve.

    Star Analyser 200 vs. 100: Choosing for Your Imaging Train

    Shelyak offers two primary gratings, the SA100 and the SA200, and the right choice depends entirely on your hardware. The Star Analyser 200 is specifically designed for setups where the distance between the grating and the camera sensor is short.

    • Star Analyser 200 (This Model): Its higher dispersion gives the same spectrum length at half the distance from the sensor, which suits the close spacing inside a filter wheel. With large aperture, long focal length telescopes and a large enough sensor, it can also be used further away to produce a longer spectrum.
    • Star Analyser 100: This grating has lower dispersion and is intended for longer optical paths, such as when it is threaded onto the nosepiece of a camera. Using an SA100 inside a filter wheel would produce a spectrum that is too short and compressed.

    If you use a filter wheel for your imaging, the SA200 is the correct tool. Where there is room to place the grating at its optimum distance, use the SA100; the SA200 also suits large aperture, long focal length telescopes with larger camera sensors, where it produces a longer spectrum.

  • How do I use the Shelyak Star Analyser 200?

    You use the Star Analyser 200 just like a standard filter. Simply thread it into an empty slot in your 1.25" filter wheel (for a 2" screw-in filter wheel, mount it in a blank 2" filter cell, not supplied). When you rotate it into the light path, your camera will capture an image where each star is accompanied by its spectrum. No other changes to your imaging process are required.

    What can I learn from a low-resolution spectrum of a star like Albireo (Beta Cygni)?

    Even with the low resolution of the Star Analyser 200, you can clearly distinguish the spectral types of the two components of Albireo. You will see the spectrum of the golden K-type giant star (Albireo A) is rich in absorption lines in the orange/red part of the spectrum, while the blue B-type main-sequence star (Albireo B) shows strong hydrogen lines in the blue/green. This provides a direct, visual confirmation of their different stellar classifications.

    Will the Star Analyser 200 work with my 8" SCT and a filter wheel?

    Yes, absolutely. An 8" SCT with a filter wheel is an ideal setup for the Star Analyser 200. The instrument's aperture provides plenty of light for capturing spectra of even moderately faint stars, and the SA200's design is specifically optimized for the short distance between the filter wheel and the camera sensor.

    Why choose the Star Analyser 200 over the Star Analyser 100?

    Choose the Star Analyser 200 if you are mounting the grating in a filter wheel. Its design is optimized for the very short distance between the filter and the sensor. Choose the Star Analyser 100 if you are mounting the grating further away, for example, by threading it onto the nosepiece of your camera.

    Do I need special software to process spectra from the Star Analyser 200?

    While you can view the raw images with any FITS viewer, dedicated spectroscopy software is needed to calibrate the spectrum and extract scientific data. Commercial and free software options such as RSpec, VSpec, or BASS Project are designed to work with data from the Star Analyser and can help you process your images into meaningful graphs of intensity versus wavelength.

    What kind of objects can I observe with the Star Analyser 200?

    The Star Analyser 200 is best suited for point sources like stars. Excellent targets for beginners include:

    • Stellar Classification: Compare the spectra of stars with different spectral types, like Vega (Type A), Capella (Type G), and Betelgeuse (Type M).
    • Unique Stars: Observe emission lines in Wolf-Rayet stars or the unique spectra of Carbon stars.
    • Quasars: With a larger telescope, you can even capture the spectrum of a distant quasar like 3C 273 and identify its redshift.
  • Resolving power (R) R ~100 (resolution typically 1/100 of the wavelength, about 5 nm at 500 nm)
    Camera-side connection thread: M28.5x0.6 (1.25in filter); gender: male
    Length 7.7 mm

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  • Shelyak 1-Year Warranty