First light very bright

[stardust steve]

Hey everyone. I was able to image the Sun today for the first ever time:D I recently just bought a 2nd hand Celestron C102-HD Refractor this week which came with a Solar filter. I am yet to get any images as the T-adapter that came with it was for and older model SLR. So i still screwed the T-ring onto the focuser and held my DSLR up to the T-ring manually. Here are some images. :D

P.s this telescope has really opened up a whole new world than my old Alt-Az mount. It is one giant step forward but taking a few little steps back when getting it Polar aligned and then using the scope (turning it around to view different objects) :question: i am keen to get at least a 5 sec exposure from a rough polar alignment and cant wait.
Also what grease is the best to give my mount a service? I will include some pics of it, i am sure it is an EQ3 that came with the scope. I think this setup is quite a few years old but it has been well looked after.
There is a provision in the middle of the polar mount, is this a provision for a polar alignment scope?
The weather this week is looking good for Adeliade so i will be out every night:D
Thanks, Steve.

[stardust steve]

here is another pic, i seem to be having trouble uploading pics:question:

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: Hi steve and welcome to the fun field of astro photography . You will learn lots from the experienced people here .
On your scope , I had one of these a while ago and I loved it :thumbsup:. Great optics on a good mount , and yes the CG4/ EQ3 mount is the standard one , these are a good mount , based on the Vixen mount , a good chinese copy and easily up to holding your 102mm celestron .
Enjoy it as I did , mine , for years , the optics are that good .:).
On the pics , keep them small as IIS dont like them to big .:hi:.
Brian.

[BlackWidow]

Hi Steve. In regards to lubrication you need to take care as the wrong grease can melt and get onto your optics. I use a product made by Star brite. Marine White PTFE Lubricant. It will operate from -68f to +650f. You can purchase it from Whitworths Marine at Port Adelaide for $9.95. It is fine on painted, plastic and all metal surfaces... Really good gear..

Regards
Mardy

[stardust steve]

Cheers Brian, i am enjoying this scope. Having a good time learning all about whats involved with alignment. Last night around 11pm i was trying the drift align, found what i thought was a Star near the Eastern horizon. Quickly discovered it wasnt a Star but it was Saturn!!:lol: To my delight. AND i could even see Titan, i was so happy this scope could pick it up. I discovered the scope also has a piggy back mount, even better for my canon 50mm f1.8:)

[brian nordstrom]

:rofl: yea ha ! thats what a long throw 102mm refractor does the best ...:shrug: , Show us the best views of the planets , good to hear that , Steve , I am glad you are enjoying the night sky , Dont ask about us up here in the NT ,,, cloud city this time of the year .
Awsome mate , ;). Enjoy as its free ...
Brian.