{"product_id":"askar-3nm-colour-magic-ha-oiii-sii-oiii-e1-e2-filter-package","title":"Askar 3nm Colour Magic Ha\/OIII \u0026 SII\/OIII (E1+E2) Filter Package","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnables SHO \"Hubble Palette\" imaging with a one-shot-color (OSC) camera\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes two 3nm dual-bandpass filters: E1 (Hα+OIII) and E2 (SII+OIII)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIsolates all three key emission lines (H-alpha, O-III, S-II) across two exposures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\"Ultra E\" design provides advanced halo suppression around bright stars\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaximizes contrast for deep-sky imaging from light-polluted locations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- more --\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003eDescription\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFAQ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the Box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDownloads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs-content\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section-center\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAskar 3nm Colour Magic Ha\/OIII \u0026amp; SII\/OIII (E1+E2) Filter Package\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Askar 3nm Colour Magic Filter Package uses two distinct 3nm dual-bandpass filters to let you capture all three key narrowband emission lines required for Hubble Palette images with a single color camera. This two-filter system, consisting of the E1 (Hα+OIII) and E2 (SII+OIII) filters, isolates data from hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, creating a streamlined workflow that was previously only possible with a monochrome camera and filter wheel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe 3nm Colour Magic System: SHO Palette Imaging with Your OSC Camera\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis filter set fundamentally changes the capability of a one-shot-color (OSC) camera. By separating the H-alpha and SII signals into two different filters—while capturing OIII data with both—you can effectively assign each channel to a specific color in post-processing to create SHO images.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tight 3nm bandpass on each emission line aggressively rejects light pollution, moonlight, and atmospheric airglow. This dramatically increases the contrast between your target nebula and the sky background, allowing you to capture faint, detailed structures even from suburban locations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFilter E1 (Hα+OIII): Capturing a 3nm Signal from Hydrogen and Oxygen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe E1 filter is the primary data-gathering tool in the set, capturing simultaneous 3nm signals from the two most dominant emission lines in most nebulae: Hydrogen-alpha (Hα) and Oxygen-III (OIII). When used with an OSC camera, Hα data is recorded by the red pixels, while OIII is recorded by the green and blue pixels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis filter can be used on its own for high-contrast, bi-color images of targets like the Veil Nebula or the North American Nebula (NGC 7000). The \"Ultra E\" engineering specifically targets and suppresses halos around bright stars, ensuring clean data without distracting artifacts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFilter E2 (SII+OIII): Adding a 3nm Sulfur Channel for Structure\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe E2 filter completes the trio by isolating the Sulfur-II (SII) and Oxygen-III (OIII) lines within a 3nm bandpass. The SII signal, recorded by your camera's red pixels, often reveals different structures in nebulae compared to H-alpha, adding depth and detail to the final composite image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy capturing OIII data again with this filter, you increase the total signal-to-noise ratio on the faintest OIII regions. In processing, you combine the data from both filters, using the red channel from the E1 exposure for Hα, the red channel from the E2 for SII, and the combined blue\/green channels from both exposures for OIII.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eColour Magic vs. Mono SHO: A Streamlined Two-Filter Workflow\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis two-filter system presents a powerful alternative to a traditional monochrome imaging setup for creating Hubble Palette images. It eliminates the need for a filter wheel and the complexity of managing three separate single-bandpass filters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdvantage Askar:\u003c\/strong\u003e You can capture all the necessary data in just two imaging sessions instead of three, saving valuable clear-sky time. The workflow is simpler, requiring less equipment and fewer steps to achieve a full SHO color image.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdvantage Monochrome:\u003c\/strong\u003e A dedicated monochrome camera with separate R, G, B, and narrowband filters will still offer the highest possible resolution, as it avoids the color interpolation of an OSC sensor's Bayer matrix. However, this comes at a significantly higher cost and complexity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the OSC imager who wants to create dynamic, detailed SHO images without investing in a completely new camera and filter system, the Askar 3nm Colour Magic package is the most direct path.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eHow does the Askar 3nm Colour Magic filter set work with a color camera?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Askar Colour Magic set uses two filters to isolate the three main narrowband emission lines. First, you image with the \u003cstrong\u003eE1 (Hα+OIII) filter\u003c\/strong\u003e, which puts H-alpha light on your camera's red pixels and O-III light on the blue and green. Then, you switch to the \u003cstrong\u003eE2 (SII+OIII) filter\u003c\/strong\u003e, which puts Sulfur-II light on the red pixels and more O-III on the blue and green. In processing software, you can then separate these channels to create a full SHO (Hubble Palette) image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat is the benefit of splitting SII and Hα into two separate Askar filters (E1 and E2)?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy placing H-alpha and Sulfur-II on separate filters, the Askar Colour Magic system allows you to isolate them cleanly using only the red pixels of your color camera. Standard \"tri-band\" or \"quad-band\" filters often capture both Hα and SII signals on the red pixels simultaneously, making it impossible to separate them for SHO color mapping. This two-filter approach is the key to achieving true Hubble Palette images with an OSC camera.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat processing is required to create a Hubble Palette image of the Eagle Nebula (M16) with the Askar Colour Magic filters?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter capturing data with both the E1 and E2 filters, you would use a program like PixInsight or Siril. The basic steps are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSplit Channels:\u003c\/strong\u003e Separate the RGB channels from both your E1 master file and your E2 master file.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAssign Channels:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Red channel from your E2 image becomes your \u003cstrong\u003eSulfur (S)\u003c\/strong\u003e. The Red channel from your E1 image becomes your \u003cstrong\u003eHydrogen (H)\u003c\/strong\u003e. The Blue and Green channels from both images are combined to create your \u003cstrong\u003eOxygen (O)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCombine:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a channel combination tool to map S, H, and O to the Red, Green, and Blue channels of a new color image, respectively.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs the Askar Colour Magic set better than a single duo-band filter like an L-eXtreme?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey serve different purposes. A standard duo-band filter is excellent for creating dramatic bi-color (red and teal) images with a single filter. The \u003cstrong\u003eAskar 3nm Colour Magic set\u003c\/strong\u003e is specifically designed for tri-color Hubble Palette (SHO) imaging. If your goal is to create images with the distinctive gold-and-blue look of the Hubble Space Telescope, the Colour Magic set is the superior choice as it allows you to isolate the critical SII signal that duo-band filters cannot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eCan I use the Askar Colour Magic E1 (Hα+OIII) filter by itself for imaging the Cygnus Loop?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, absolutely. The E1 filter functions as a high-performance 3nm duo-narrowband filter on its own. It is perfect for capturing high-contrast images of targets rich in Hydrogen and Oxygen, such as the Cygnus Loop (Veil Nebula), the Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888), or the North American Nebula (NGC 7000).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat are the limitations of the Askar Colour Magic system compared to a monochrome camera?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe primary limitation is resolution. A one-shot-color camera uses a Bayer matrix, meaning only one-quarter of its pixels are sensitive to red light. Since both Hα and SII signals are captured by these red pixels (in separate exposures), the effective resolution for those channels is lower than what a monochrome camera, where every pixel is used for every filter, can achieve. However, for many imagers, the convenience and reduced cost of the Colour Magic system outweigh this difference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"DAV-specifications\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"DAV-grid-item\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.sharpstar-optics.com\/download_list_1\/7.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 640 512\" class=\"DAV-img-box\"\u003e\u003cpath fill=\"#0047a7\" d=\"M128 32C92.7 32 64 60.7 64 96l0 256 64 0 0-256 384 0 0 256 64 0 0-256c0-35.3-28.7-64-64-64L128 32zM19.2 384C8.6 384 0 392.6 0 403.2C0 445.6 34.4 480 76.8 480l486.4 0c42.4 0 76.8-34.4 76.8-76.8c0-10.6-8.6-19.2-19.2-19.2L19.2 384z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-title\"\u003eDownload Software\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/pages\/askar-warranty-policy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAskar 1-Year Warranty\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Askar","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50344447410461,"sku":"ASK-CM-E1E2","price":1212.78,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/Askar-Colour-Magic-E1-E2-Filter-Package.jpg?v=1757644982","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/fr-us\/products\/askar-3nm-colour-magic-ha-oiii-sii-oiii-e1-e2-filter-package","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}