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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.
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mark_smith597mo 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.
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tyler8637mo 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.
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lucas_mitchell147mo ago
You're right about packing up early guaranteeing a loss. I've been there, freezing my butt off waiting for a sunrise that never came. But mark_smith59 has a point too. Last month I wasted a whole night on a lake because the fog just wouldn't lift. Sometimes you just gotta know it's a bust.
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