Alpy 600 Spectroscope

The Alpy 600 and Demetra software (specially developed for the Alpy 600) will help you produce spectra of the highest scientific quality.

The Alpy 600 opens the doors to astrophysics: explore the different types of objects in the sky (stars, galaxies, nebulae, planets, comets, etc.), compare different spectral types, observe absorption and emission lines, watch variable stars evolve from day to day – the possibilities are endless.

The Alpy 600 is a compact (few cm long), high-performance, modular and easy-to-use slit spectroscope. These features make it the ideal instrument for starting out in astronomical spectroscopy… but not only. A true scientific instrument, it will be with you for a long time.

Its resolving power (R=600) enables it to cover the entire visible range and even a little more (typically from 375nm in the near UV to 750 nm in the near IR). You’ll see many details in the spectral profile. Resolution is 1nm. The dispersing element is a grism, i.e. the combination of a prism and a diffraction grating (600t/mm).

The slit isolates a fringe from the light source. This brings several advantages: you isolate the object you wish to observe, you can work on extended objects (nebulae, planets), you can make calibration spectra… thanks to the slit, the quality of the spectrum obtained becomes independent of observation conditions (seeing, telescope tracking problems, etc.). The Alpy 600 is supplied with several interchangeable slits (see photo beside), to cover a wide range of observing situations.

The compactness and lightness of the Alpy 600 make it compatible with small instruments (telescopes or refractors, from 80mm diameter), on modest mounts. You’ll be able to access weak objects in just a few minutes (or even seconds).

The Alpy 600’s optics have been specially designed to deliver the best image quality in the entire visible range, with a wide aperture (F/4). You’ll be amazed at the amount of information that can be extracted from such a small spectroscope! This quality is such that many scientific publications are based on observations with the Alpy 600.

The Alpy 600 is robust, insensitive to temperature variations, and requires few adjustments. This makes it an easy-to-use spectroscope, for fast, spectacular results. Operation is further simplified by the free Demetra software, which accompanies your observations from acquisition to data reduction.

The Alpy 600 is modular, meaning it can be used in a variety of ways. With naked eye (daylight), with a digital camera (DSLR), with a CCD camera, on a table or behind a telescope, the possible configurations are numerous, and the interfaces are standard.

The Alpy 600 can be extended with two optional modules: the guiding module and the calibration module. The function of the guiding module is to visualize the telescope field of view, and therefore to select and track the star you wish to observe. The calibration module allows you to make spectra of flats and a calibration lamp (Argon-Neon), for rapid wavelength calibration of your spectra.

With Demetra software, you can operate your Alpy 600, from spectra acquisition to data reduction. Demetra is available free of charge HERE.

We recommend the ZWO ASI533MM-Pro camera for spectra acquisition with the Alpy 600, but any camera with a sensor longer than 14mm and a mechanical pull between 10 and 20mm will do.