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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 UVEX Motorized Spectroscope
Shelyak UVEX Motorized Spectroscope
Shelyak UVEX Motorized Spectroscope
Shelyak UVEX Motorized Spectroscope

Shelyak UVEX Motorized Spectroscope

by Shelyak
SKU SHK-ES0034
$6,670.00 - $6,670.00
$6,670.00
$6,670.00 - $6,670.00
$6,670.00
Price Match Policy!
  • Full remote control of grating, focus, and calibration
  • Achromatic design covers a 350 nm to 1µm spectral range
  • 5-position slit module includes 25µm, 50µm, 100µm, and 300µm slits
  • Optimized for F/8 telescopes
  • Open-source USIS communication protocol for custom software integration
  • Weighs 1.46 Kg without cameras
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Shelyak UVEX Motorized Spectroscope

    The Shelyak UVEX Motorized spectroscope enables fully remote scientific analysis, integrating motorized control of its grating and focus with an achromatic optical design covering a wide 350 nm to 1µm spectral range. Optimized for F/8 systems, this 1.46 Kg instrument provides a choice of five slit positions, from a high-resolution 25µm slit to a 300µm option for fainter targets, all controllable via the documented USIS protocol.

    Achromatic Optics: The 350 nm to 1µm Spectral Range

    The UVEX is built around an achromatic optical system, specifically designed to maintain focus across an expansive spectral range from the near-ultraviolet at 350 nm to the near-infrared at 1µm. This allows you to explore phenomena beyond the visible spectrum, capturing data at the limits of modern CMOS and CCD sensor capabilities without needing to constantly refocus for different wavelengths.

    Full Remote Operation at F/8

    This motorized version of the UVEX is engineered for unattended, remote operation. From your control software, you can precisely set the central wavelength by adjusting the grating angle, fine-tune instrument focus, and manage an external calibration module. This integration makes it possible to automate an entire observing session: acquiring science data, then capturing dark, flat-field, and calibration lamp frames without any physical intervention at the telescope.

    The 5-Position Slit Module: From 25µm to 300µm

    The UVEX includes a versatile slit module with five user-selectable options: 25µm, 50µm, 100µm, 300µm, and a 25µm pinhole for precise calibration. This range allows you to balance spectral resolution against signal-to-noise; use the narrow 25µm slit for detailed analysis of bright stars or the wider 300µm slit to maximize light throughput on faint nebulae. Note that slit selection is a manual adjustment performed at the instrument.

    USIS Protocol: Open Integration for Custom Automation

    Control of the UVEX is managed through the USIS communication protocol, an open standard documented by Shelyak. While designed for seamless integration with Shelyak's own DEMETRA software, the open protocol gives advanced users the freedom to write their own drivers and control scripts. This allows for deep integration into custom observatory automation platforms like N.I.N.A., TheSkyX, or proprietary research environments.

  • What is the main advantage of the UVEX Motorized spectroscope?

    The primary advantage is full remote operation. You can remotely control the central wavelength (grating), instrument focus, and an external calibration module. This allows for completely automated data acquisition sequences, which is essential for robotic observatories or simply for efficiency during a night of observing.

    How do I change the slit on the UVEX Motorized?

    Slit selection on the UVEX is a manual process. You must physically access the instrument and use a screwdriver to rotate the slit wheel to one of the five positions (25µm, 50µm, 100µm, 300µm, or 25µm hole). While the grating and focus are motorized, the slit is not.

    What kind of telescope works best with the UVEX Motorized at its optimal F/8 ratio?

    The UVEX is optimized for an F/8 focal ratio, which is common for many Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) and Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) telescopes, especially when used with a focal reducer. A standard C8 or a 10-inch RC would be excellent matches, providing a bright, well-focused beam to the spectroscope.

    Can the UVEX Motorized resolve the Balmer series in the spectrum of Vega (Alpha Lyrae)?

    Yes, absolutely. Vega is a bright A-type star with very prominent hydrogen absorption lines (the Balmer series). Using one of the narrower slits, such as the 25µm or 50µm option, the UVEX can easily achieve the resolution needed to clearly separate and study these lines, from H-alpha in the red down to the higher-order lines in the blue and near-UV portion of its 350 nm to 1µm range.

    What does the motorized focus on the UVEX Motorized adjust?

    The motorized focus adjusts the internal optics of the spectroscope to ensure the spectrum is perfectly sharp on your camera's sensor. This is critical for achieving the highest possible resolution and is especially useful for compensating for small thermal shifts in focus over the course of a long observing night.

    Is the USIS communication protocol difficult to use for custom software?

    The USIS protocol is designed to be straightforward for developers. Shelyak provides documentation for the protocol, allowing programmers to integrate UVEX control into various platforms. While it requires some programming knowledge, it is a well-defined serial communication protocol, making it accessible for those familiar with creating ASCOM drivers or scripting with languages like Python.

  • Spectral Range 350 nm to 1µm
    Optimal Telescope F-ratio F/8
    Slit Module Multi-position: 25µm, 50µm, 100µm, 300µm, and 25µm hole
    Grating Control Motorized (selects central wavelength)
    Focus Control Motorized (fine-tunes instrument focus)
    Calibration Control Motorized control of external calibration module
    Communication Protocol USIS
    Dimensions 153 x 154 x 133 mm (without cameras)
    Weight 1.46 Kg (without camera)
  • Shelyak 1-Year Warranty