{"product_id":"shelyak-pf0083","title":"Shelyak Alpy 200 Spectroscope","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eResolving power of R~130 optimized for faint targets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFast F\/4 optical design\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulti-position wheel with 25µm, 50µm, 100µm, and 300µm slits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompact and lightweight at 65mm long and only 200g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVariable mechanical backfocus from 10.5mm to 21mm\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\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\u003eAlpy 200 Spectroscope\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Alpy 200 Spectroscope is engineered for a specific scientific purpose: capturing the spectra of extremely faint celestial objects. Its optical design delivers a resolving power of R~130 through a fast F\/4 system, prioritizing signal collection on targets like distant quasars and supernovae. The entire instrument is housed in a compact 65mm x 45mm body that weighs only 200g, making it compatible with a wide range of telescopes. A multi-position slit wheel offers options from a 25µm pinhole to a 300µm slit, while the standard T-mount (M42x0.75mm) interface accommodates science cameras with a mechanical backfocus between 10.5mm and 21mm.\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\u003eLow-Resolution Spectroscopy: An R~130 Grism for Faint Targets\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe core of the Alpy 200 is a 200 gr\/mm grism (grating + prism) that provides a resolving power of R~130. This low-resolution design is a deliberate trade-off, spreading the light from a faint object over fewer pixels to maximize signal-to-noise ratio. This makes it possible to acquire usable spectra on faint galaxies, novae, and supernovae that would be undetectable with higher-resolution systems. The F\/4 aperture is exceptionally fast for a spectroscope, further enhancing its sensitivity and reducing required exposure times across its operational range of 375nm to 750nm.\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\u003eMulti-Position Slit Wheel: From 25µm to 300µm\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Alpy 200 incorporates a multi-position wheel with a selection of slits to adapt to different targets and observing conditions. It includes a 25µm pinhole, four slits of 25µm, 50µm, 100µm, and 300µm, and a 3mm hole for easy target acquisition. The narrower slits provide the maximum resolving power, while the wider slits are crucial for very faint targets or nights of poor seeing, ensuring more of the star's light enters the spectroscope. This flexibility allows you to optimize the instrument for everything from extended nebulae to point-like quasars.\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\u003eCompact 200g Design: Spectroscopy on an 80mm Telescope\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeighing just 200g and measuring 65mm in length with a 45mm diameter, the Alpy 200 is one of the most compact and lightweight scientific spectroscopes available. Its minimal weight and size mean it can be mounted on telescopes as small as 80mm in diameter without creating significant balance or stability issues. This opens the door to serious astrophysical research for observers using modest, portable mounts and optical tubes, removing the need for a heavy-duty observatory setup.\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\u003eModular System: 10.5-21mm Backfocus and Demetra Software\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Alpy 200 is designed as the core of a modular system. It connects to your science camera via a standard M42x0.75mm T-mount and supports a mechanical backfocus range of 10.5mm to 21mm, compatible with many popular astronomy cameras. For a complete scientific workflow, optional autoguiding and calibration modules can be added, bringing the total required backfocus to 64mm. The entire system is supported by the free Demetra software, which handles everything from image acquisition to final data reduction.\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\u003eAlpy 200 vs. Alpy 600: Choosing Faintness Over Resolution\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Alpy 200 was developed as a specialized version of its sibling, the Alpy 600, for a different observational goal. The choice between them is a direct trade-off between resolving power and sensitivity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlpy 600 Advantage:\u003c\/strong\u003e With a resolving power of R~600, the Alpy 600 can reveal much finer detail in the spectra of bright stars, resolving closer spectral lines and enabling more detailed analysis of stellar atmospheres.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlpy 200 Advantage:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Alpy 200's R~130 resolving power concentrates the target's light, making it vastly more efficient for extremely faint objects. It is the superior choice for classifying supernovae, identifying quasars, and studying the general characteristics of faint galaxies where capturing any spectrum at all is the primary challenge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\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\"\u003eWhat kind of camera works best with the Alpy 200 Spectroscope?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Alpy 200 connects via a standard \u003cstrong\u003eM42x0.75mm T-mount\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is compatible with any monochrome camera that has a mechanical backfocus between \u003cstrong\u003e10.5mm and 21mm\u003c\/strong\u003e. For optimal results, a sensor with a diagonal of 14mm or larger is recommended to capture the full spectral range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhy would I choose the Alpy 200's low R~130 resolution?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLow resolution is a feature, not a limitation, for faint-object spectroscopy. By spreading the light over a smaller area on the sensor, the Alpy 200 achieves a much higher signal-to-noise ratio per pixel. This allows you to obtain a usable spectrum from targets like supernovae, quasars, and faint galaxies that would be too dim to analyze with a higher-resolution spectroscope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eCan I use the Alpy 200 to get a spectrum of a supernova in an 8-inch SCT?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, absolutely. The Alpy 200's compact \u003cstrong\u003e200g\u003c\/strong\u003e weight and high sensitivity make it an ideal match for common telescopes like 8\" Schmidt-Cassegrains. This combination is powerful enough to capture spectra from very faint targets; for example, scientific data has been published on magnitude 18+ supernovae using this spectroscope on similar amateur instruments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat is the purpose of the different slits (25µm, 50µm, 100µm, 300µm) on the Alpy 200?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interchangeable slits allow you to adapt the spectroscope to your target and atmospheric conditions.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNarrow slits (25µm, 50µm):\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide the highest possible spectral resolution (up to R~130) for brighter objects where detail is important.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWider slits (100µm, 300µm):\u003c\/strong\u003e Allow more light to enter the spectroscope, which is critical for very faint objects or when seeing is poor. This sacrifices some resolution for a much stronger signal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eHow does the Alpy 200 perform on extended objects like the Orion Nebula (M42)?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Alpy 200 is excellent for extended objects. The slit, which is \u003cstrong\u003e3mm\u003c\/strong\u003e long, allows you to isolate a specific region of the nebula. By positioning the slit across different areas—such as the Trapezium cluster versus the outer loops—you can take separate spectra to study how the physical conditions (like ionization) change across the object.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eDo I need the optional guiding and calibration modules for the Alpy 200?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, they are not required to start, but they complete the scientific workflow. The base Alpy 200 module is fully functional for capturing spectra. The optional guiding module makes it easier to keep your target precisely on the slit for long exposures. The calibration module provides a reference lamp (Argon-Neon) for highly accurate wavelength calibration, which is essential for scientific measurements like redshift.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"DAV-specifications\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eResolving Power\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eR ~130 with 23µm slit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAperture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eF\/4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlit Options\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25µm, 50µm, 100µm, 300µm slits; 25µm \u0026amp; 3mm holes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlit Length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCamera Interface\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eT-mount (M42x0.75mm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMechanical Backfocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10.5mm to 21mm range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTotal Backfocus (with optional modules)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e64mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e65mm length, 45mm diameter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"DAV-grid-item\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/Shelyak_Alpy_200_Core_Module_Assembly_Manual.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003csvg class=\"DAV-img-box\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M0 64C0 28.7 28.7 0 64 0L224 0l0 128c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32l128 0 0 144-208 0c-35.3 0-64 28.7-64 64l0 144-48 0c-35.3 0-64-28.7-64-64L0 64zm384 64l-128 0L256 0 384 128zM176 352l32 0c30.9 0 56 25.1 56 56s-25.1 56-56 56l-16 0 0 32c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16s-16-7.2-16-16l0-48 0-80c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16zm32 80c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24s-10.7-24-24-24l-16 0 0 48 16 0zm96-80l32 0c26.5 0 48 21.5 48 48l0 64c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48l-32 0c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16l0-128c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16zm32 128c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16l0-64c0-8.8-7.2-16-16-16l-16 0 0 96 16 0zm80-112c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16l48 0c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16s-7.2 16-16 16l-32 0 0 32 32 0c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16s-7.2 16-16 16l-32 0 0 48c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16s-16-7.2-16-16l0-64 0-64z\" fill=\"#0047a7\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-title\"\u003eShelyak Alpy 200 Core Module Assembly Manual\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"DAV-grid-item\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.shelyak.com\/software\/?lang=en\" 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\u003cli class=\"DAV-grid-item\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/Shelyak_Alpy_600_Manual.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003csvg class=\"DAV-img-box\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M0 64C0 28.7 28.7 0 64 0L224 0l0 128c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32l128 0 0 144-208 0c-35.3 0-64 28.7-64 64l0 144-48 0c-35.3 0-64-28.7-64-64L0 64zm384 64l-128 0L256 0 384 128zM176 352l32 0c30.9 0 56 25.1 56 56s-25.1 56-56 56l-16 0 0 32c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16s-16-7.2-16-16l0-48 0-80c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16zm32 80c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24s-10.7-24-24-24l-16 0 0 48 16 0zm96-80l32 0c26.5 0 48 21.5 48 48l0 64c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48l-32 0c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16l0-128c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16zm32 128c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16l0-64c0-8.8-7.2-16-16-16l-16 0 0 96 16 0zm80-112c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16l48 0c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16s-7.2 16-16 16l-32 0 0 32 32 0c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16s-7.2 16-16 16l-32 0 0 48c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16s-16-7.2-16-16l0-64 0-64z\" fill=\"#0047a7\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-title\"\u003eShelyak Alpy 600 Manual\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"DAV-grid-item\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/Shelyak_Alpy_Backfocus_Diagram.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003csvg class=\"DAV-img-box\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M0 64C0 28.7 28.7 0 64 0L224 0l0 128c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32l128 0 0 144-208 0c-35.3 0-64 28.7-64 64l0 144-48 0c-35.3 0-64-28.7-64-64L0 64zm384 64l-128 0L256 0 384 128zM176 352l32 0c30.9 0 56 25.1 56 56s-25.1 56-56 56l-16 0 0 32c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16s-16-7.2-16-16l0-48 0-80c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16zm32 80c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24s-10.7-24-24-24l-16 0 0 48 16 0zm96-80l32 0c26.5 0 48 21.5 48 48l0 64c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48l-32 0c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16l0-128c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16zm32 128c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16l0-64c0-8.8-7.2-16-16-16l-16 0 0 96 16 0zm80-112c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16l48 0c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16s-7.2 16-16 16l-32 0 0 32 32 0c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16s-7.2 16-16 16l-32 0 0 48c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16s-16-7.2-16-16l0-64 0-64z\" fill=\"#0047a7\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-title\"\u003eShelyak Alpy Backfocus Diagram\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"DAV-grid-item\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/Shelyak_Demetra_Software_Manual.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003csvg class=\"DAV-img-box\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M0 64C0 28.7 28.7 0 64 0L224 0l0 128c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32l128 0 0 144-208 0c-35.3 0-64 28.7-64 64l0 144-48 0c-35.3 0-64-28.7-64-64L0 64zm384 64l-128 0L256 0 384 128zM176 352l32 0c30.9 0 56 25.1 56 56s-25.1 56-56 56l-16 0 0 32c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16s-16-7.2-16-16l0-48 0-80c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16zm32 80c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24s-10.7-24-24-24l-16 0 0 48 16 0zm96-80l32 0c26.5 0 48 21.5 48 48l0 64c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48l-32 0c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16l0-128c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16zm32 128c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16l0-64c0-8.8-7.2-16-16-16l-16 0 0 96 16 0zm80-112c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16l48 0c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16s-7.2 16-16 16l-32 0 0 32 32 0c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16s-7.2 16-16 16l-32 0 0 48c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16s-16-7.2-16-16l0-64 0-64z\" fill=\"#0047a7\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-title\"\u003eShelyak Demetra Software Manual\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\/shelyak-warranty-policy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eShelyak 1-Year Warranty\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Shelyak","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52943040839965,"sku":"SHK-PF0083","price":978.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/Shelyak-Alpy-200-Spectroscope-1_176240af-29c8-496c-99b2-dcd0a2cd3d0c.jpg?v=1789616153","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/fr-us\/products\/shelyak-pf0083","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}