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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Shelyak Alpy 600 Spectroscope

Shelyak Alpy 600 Spectroscope

by Shelyak
SKU SHK-PF0035
$978.00 - $978.00
$978.00
$978.00 - $978.00
$978.00
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  • Resolution Power: R ~600
  • Fast F/4 Optical Design
  • Weight: 200g
  • Multi-Position Interchangeable Slits: 25µm, 50µm, 100µm, 300µm
  • Mechanical Backfocus: 10.5-21mm
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
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  • Warranty

  • Shelyak Alpy 600 Spectroscope

    The Shelyak Alpy 600 Spectroscope packs a resolution power of R~600 into a compact body just 65mm long and weighing only 200g. Its fast F/4 optical design and multi-position slit wheel, featuring a 25µm slit for ~1nm resolution, provide a versatile platform for scientific discovery. With a flexible mechanical backfocus range of 10.5-21mm, the Alpy 600 integrates easily into existing imaging trains to open the door to astrophysical analysis.

    R~600 Resolution: Capturing Stellar Spectra with 1nm Detail

    The core of the Alpy 600 is a 600 lines/mm grism (a combination grating and prism) that delivers a resolving power of R~600. When paired with the 25µm slit, you can achieve a spectral resolution of approximately 1nm across the visible spectrum. This level of detail is sufficient to clearly identify the spectral class of stars, observe prominent absorption and emission lines, and track the evolution of variable stars from one night to the next.

    Multi-Position Slit: 25µm to 300µm for Any Target

    A slit is what separates a spectroscope from a simple grating, and the Alpy 600 includes a multi-position wheel for maximum flexibility. The slit isolates your target from background skyglow and nearby stars, enabling high-contrast spectra and analysis of extended objects like nebulae and planets. This makes your data quality independent of seeing conditions or minor tracking errors.

    • 25µm & 50µm Slits: Use these for the highest resolution on bright stars to resolve fine spectral details.
    • 100µm & 300µm Slits: Select these wider slits to allow more light through when targeting fainter objects like galaxies or nebulae, trading some resolution for stronger signal.

    Fast F/4 Optics in a Compact 200g Body

    Engineered for broad compatibility, the Alpy 600 features a fast F/4 optical system that maximizes light throughput, allowing you to capture data on faint objects in minutes. Its remarkably low weight of 200g and compact 65mm x 45mm frame ensure it can be used with modest mounts and smaller telescopes down to 80mm in aperture without causing balance or stability issues.

    Modular Integration: 10.5-21mm Backfocus and Optional Upgrades

    The Alpy 600 connects to your camera via a standard M42x0.75mm T-mount thread and offers a versatile mechanical backfocus range of 10.5mm to 21mm, accommodating a wide variety of dedicated astronomy cameras. For a complete scientific workflow, the system is expandable with optional guiding and calibration modules. When fully configured with these modules, the required total backfocus is 64mm, a critical figure for planning your imaging train.

    Alpy 600 vs. Slitless Gratings: The Advantage of a Slit

    For those starting in spectroscopy, a common choice is a simple slitless grating. While effective for basic stellar spectra, a slit-based instrument like the Alpy 600 represents a significant step up in scientific capability.

    • Slitless Grating Advantage: They are simpler to use, as you don't need to precisely center a star on a narrow opening, and they have higher light throughput.
    • Alpy 600 Advantage: The slit isolates the target object, producing a clean, high-contrast spectrum free from contamination from nearby stars or background light pollution. This is essential for accurate wavelength calibration, studying extended objects, and producing data that is robust and independent of observing conditions.

  • What kind of scientific projects can I do with the Shelyak Alpy 600?

    The Alpy 600's R~600 resolution opens the door to many projects. You can classify stars by their spectral type (O, B, A, F, G, K, M), detect the Doppler shift in binary star systems, measure the expansion of the universe by observing the redshift of quasars, or monitor the changing spectra of variable stars and comets.

    How do I choose the right slit size (25µm, 50µm, 100µm, 300µm) for my target?

    The choice is a trade-off between resolution and light throughput.

    • For bright stars where you want maximum detail, use the narrowest slits (25µm or 50µm).
    • For faint, extended objects like nebulae or galaxies, use the wider slits (100µm or 300µm) to capture more photons at the cost of lower resolution.

    Can I use my DSLR with the Shelyak Alpy 600?

    Yes, you can use a DSLR. The Alpy 600 connects via a standard T-mount (M42x0.75mm), and you will need a T-ring for your specific camera model. However, for best results, a sensitive monochrome astronomy camera is recommended as it will capture faint spectral lines more efficiently than a color CMOS sensor.

    What is the advantage of the Alpy 600's R~600 resolution for observing Be stars like Gamma Cassiopeiae?

    An R~600 resolution is ideal for studying Be stars like Gamma Cassiopeiae (Navi). It allows you to clearly resolve the prominent Hydrogen-alpha emission line that characterizes these stars, which appears as a sharp spike "filling in" the normal absorption line. You can monitor the strength and shape of this emission line over time to track activity in the star's circumstellar disk.

    How does the Alpy 600 perform on a bright planet like Jupiter with an 8" SCT?

    The Alpy 600 is excellent for planetary spectroscopy with a telescope like an 8" f/10 SCT. You can orient the slit across Jupiter's disk to see the absorption bands of methane and ammonia in its atmosphere. By comparing the spectra of the belts and zones, you can detect differences in their chemical composition.

    Do I need the optional guiding and calibration modules for the Shelyak Alpy 600?

    While not strictly required to start, the optional modules significantly improve the workflow. The guiding module lets you see the field of view to accurately place and keep your target on the narrow slit. The calibration module provides a reference lamp spectrum (Argon-Neon), which is essential for precise wavelength calibration, turning your data from a picture into a scientific measurement.

  • Resolution Power R ~600 (with 25µm slit)
    Spectral Resolution ~1nm (with 25µm slit)
    Aperture F/4
    Slit Options Multi-position wheel with 25µm, 50µm, 100µm, 300µm slits (5µm tolerance); 25µm hole; 3mm hole
    Slit Length 3mm
    Weight 200g
    Dimensions 65mm length, 45mm diameter
    Camera Interface T-mount thread (M42x0.75mm)
    Mechanical Backfocus 10.5mm to 21mm range
    Total Backfocus (with modules) 64mm
  • Shelyak 1-Year Warranty