Helium D3 Quantum Filters

DayStar is proud to offer the only Helium D3 Solar Filter available on the market today. Due to our recent advancements in technology which allow more precise tuning of a DayStar filter, we are finally able to capture the Helium emission line.

Discovered in the visual spectrum at 5875.61Å nearby Sodium D1 and D2 lines by Pierre Janssen in 1868 during a solar eclipse, Helium is the second most abundant element in the Universe.

Helium D3 Line Filter made possible by the new Quantum control technology for tuning accurate enough to finally capture the elusive He D3 line.

Research studies in D3 in the past have focused on flare research and comparisons of correspondence of absorption in D3 with Magnetic Lines. Those studies used ‘overlappograms’, as He D3 filters have not been available before today.

See below for photos and descriptions of features visible in HeD3 Line.

Features visible in D3 are: Sunspot Detail, SuperGranulation, Plage, Emission in Flare Footprints, Absorption following Magnetic Lines and small prominences.

He D3 line filters are only available in PE grade
due to the high precision in CWL  accuracy required to isolate the D3 line.

FilterHalf-bandwidth
(Maximum @ f/30)
Price
He D3 line PE0.3 ångström$17,825.00

The Line of Helium D3 within the Solar Spectrum:

* HALF-BANDWIDTH: The term half-bandwidth refers to an optics industry standard of measure.  On a chart depicting the peak where light is transmitted, that peak’s width is measured at the point 50% between zero and full transmission. This term is called half-bandwidth.

Surface detail reveals fine detail on even small sunspots and supergranulation.  Sunspot 1115 imaged 10/21/2010
Surface detail reveals fine detail on even small sunspots and supergranulation. Sunspot 1115 imaged 10/21/2010

Direct Comparison He D3 to White Light – imaged with same Williams Optic 110mm APO refractor 10/30/2010
Sunspot Active Region 1117 for additional details see wavelength comparison page.

In active regions, absorption follows magnetic lines revealing dark contrast forming fine connections. Plague can also be seen.  He D3 also shows Emission in flare footprints that precede a solar flare.
This WHITE LIGHT IMAGE taken with the same instrument shows less detail in the sunspot and no supergranulation.
He D3 offers significantly superior resolution of sunspot groups above White Light viewing, revealing details and depth not otherwise visible.
This WHITE LIGHT IMAGE taken with the same instrument shows less detail in the sunspot and no fine, dark magnetic lines between active areas.
In inactive areas on the surface, HeD3 reveals structure of supergranulation.
Inactive areas in WHITE LIGHT IMAGES do not show surface granulation, nor plage. Grain visible in image is equally sharpened camera noise.