PSA: Almost packed up too early on my Andromeda attempt last fall

I spent weeks planning to catch the Andromeda Galaxy from a hilltop spot. The sky was hazy all evening, and after four hours, I saw no change. My gear was set up, but I was getting tired and thought about calling it a night. Then I recalled reading that haze can clear suddenly in the early hours. I decided to stick it out for just thirty more minutes. Sure enough, the haze faded, and the stars popped out clear as ever. I got two hours of perfect data before dawn. If I had rushed, all that prep would have been for nothing, so always give it that extra bit of time.

2 comments

2 Comments

mark_smith592d ago

Not sure I buy the 'always give it extra time' advice. Sometimes the haze never clears and you just lose sleep for nothing. Knowing when to pack up can save you a lot of trouble.

tyler8631d ago

So, what's the alternative, just quit at the first sign of trouble? That mindset is how you miss out on the BEST moments. Sure, sometimes it's a bust, but pushing through shows real grit. I've seen countless times where waiting paid off BIG time. Packing up early just means you guaranteed a loss. Giving it extra time is about respect for the process, not being stubborn.