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.