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Shelyak Optical kit for Sol’Ex spectroheliograph
Shelyak Optical kit for Sol’Ex spectroheliograph
Shelyak Optical kit for Sol’Ex spectroheliograph

Shelyak Optical kit for Sol’Ex spectroheliograph

by Shelyak
SKU SHK-ES0036
CA$593.00 - CA$593.00
CA$593.00
CA$593.00 - CA$593.00
CA$593.00
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  • Build a high-resolution solar spectroheliograph
  • Achieves 0.03 nm resolution at 650 nm
  • Tunable across the 400 nm to 700 nm visible spectrum
  • Internal optical reduction ratio of 125:80
  • Based on the open-source Sol'Ex project by Christian Buil
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Optical kit for Sol’Ex spectroheliograph

    This optical kit provides the core components to build your own Sol'Ex, an instrument capable of achieving an incredible 0.03 nm resolution for solar imaging. The system operates across the entire visible spectrum from 400 nm to 700 nm, utilizing an internal reduction ratio of 125:80 designed for the 3D-printed instrument body. With this kit, you can construct a spectroheliograph that reveals the Sun's chromosphere with contrast far exceeding that of standard commercial filters.

    Unlocking the Chromosphere with 0.03 nm Resolution

    The defining feature of the Sol'Ex is its spectral resolving power. This kit enables a resolution of 0.03 nm (equivalent to 0.3 Ångströms), an extremely narrow bandpass that isolates specific spectral lines with exceptional purity. This allows you to produce high-contrast images of chromospheric features like filaments, prominences, and plage that are often washed out by broader, more common solar filters.

    A 400 nm to 700 nm Window on Solar Activity

    Unlike fixed-wavelength filters, the Sol'Ex design allows you to image the Sun at any wavelength within the 400 nm to 700 nm range. You are not limited to just Hydrogen-alpha; you can capture images in Sodium (Na D), Helium (He D3), Hydrogen-beta, and more, revealing different layers and activity in the solar atmosphere. The instrument works as a spectroheliograph, scanning the solar disk and using the included software to reconstruct a detailed monochromatic image.

    A 125:80 Optical Core for the Sol'Ex and Star'Ex Projects

    This kit contains the essential optics—slit, grating, lenses—to serve as the heart of your 3D-printed Sol'Ex. The 125:80 internal reduction ratio is specified for the build files developed by Christian Buil, ensuring compatibility. Please note that this is a DIY project; you must source the 3D-printed parts and other components like cameras and adapters separately. For those interested in stellar science, this same optical core can be converted into a high-resolution stellar spectrograph, Star'Ex, with a complementary optical kit.

  • What else do I need to build a complete Sol'Ex with this optical kit?

    This kit contains only the optical components. To complete the Sol'Ex, you will need to source the 3D-printed housing parts (STL files are available on the Sol'Ex project website) and other hardware, including an imaging camera, a guiding camera, and telescope adapters.

    What kind of telescope is required for the Sol'Ex spectroheliograph?

    The Sol'Ex is designed to be mounted on a small telescope. To see the entire solar disk in a single image scan, a telescope with a focal length of 450mm or less is recommended. Using a telescope with a longer focal length is possible and will yield more detailed images of specific regions on the Sun, but you will not capture the full disk.

    How does the Sol'Ex's 0.03 nm resolution compare to a standard H-alpha filter?

    The 0.03 nm (0.3 Å) resolution of the Sol'Ex is significantly narrower than most commercially available solar filters. For comparison, many high-end amateur H-alpha filters have a bandpass of 0.05 nm to 0.07 nm (0.5 Å to 0.7 Å). This narrower bandpass is what allows the Sol'Ex to produce images with superior contrast on fine chromospheric details.

    Can I image prominences in H-alpha with the Sol'Ex optical kit?

    Yes, absolutely. Once you build the Sol'Ex and tune it to the Hydrogen-alpha wavelength (656.3 nm), its high resolution and contrast are ideal for capturing detailed images of solar prominences against the dark sky, as well as filaments on the solar disk itself.

    Is it difficult to process the images from the Sol'Ex?

    The Sol'Ex project includes dedicated software designed for automatic image processing. The instrument captures data by scanning the Sun, and the software then reconstructs the final, high-contrast monochromatic image from this data, making the process straightforward.

    How do I upgrade my Sol'Ex to a Star'Ex for stellar spectroscopy?

    The Sol'Ex is designed to be convertible into a stellar spectrograph called Star'Ex. This requires a few additional optical elements, which are available in a separate complementary kit (Star’Ex HR complementary kit). This allows you to use the same core instrument to analyze the spectra of stars.

  • Resolution at 650 nm 0.03 nm (with 10 micron slit width)
    Wavelength Range 400 nm – 700 nm
    Internal Reduction Ratio 125:80
  • Shelyak 1-Year Warranty