Joe Golias is a long-time member of the CAA and owner of Astrozap, maker of telescope dew shields and other accessories. Golias is also an accomplished astro-imager who has shared with us many beautiful pictures of galaxies, star clusters, and nebulas. His most recent image is quite astounding in its detail, beauty, and technique: an area if the “Pelican Nebula” (IC5070) called the Herbig-Haro 555. Here’s Golias’ description of his imaging process:

“I wanted to share one of my first attempts at narrowband imaging.  My target was an area found in the Pelican Nebula IC5070 called the Herbig-Haro 555 region.

Image details:

• Telescope: Takahashi TOA 150 working at F/7
• Camera: SBIG STT 8300 Pro
• Guiding: Custom Zapahashi guide scope with SBIG ST4
• Mount: Losmandy G11
• Total exposure: 15 hours, three nights through HA, OIII, SII filters. 20 minute subs each channel.
• Location: Granger Township, Medina, Ohio.
• Sky conditions: Waxing Gibbous Moon

This was my first attempt to do any type of “real” imaging from my backyard.” Golias usually images from a personal dark-sky site in Central Ohio.