Thanks for the heavy traffic! (M31 Andromeda Galaxy)

Talk about being a hardcore. We almost gave up our astroimaging trip to Boso-boso last Saturday. We encountered heavy downpour on our way to the hills, causing us to turn-back and stop at a gasoline station to wait for the rain to subside. Rain stopped, and we were about to head home when I realized of the heavy traffic snarl waiting for us on the way back. Then, luck of all the luck, we started seeing the blue sky desperately peeking out from heavy clouds. I reckoned that we will just be stucked for hours in traffic if we go back home or we might as well try proceeding to the site and who knows, we might have few lucky breaks. The sky at the site was not good when we arrived. So, we decided to wait until 9 pm and then we can go home. But, indeed the sky started clearing up at around 7 pm so we hurriedly had our dinner and set-up the gears. My target, M31 galaxy was already past meridian but I imaged it anyway. The sky permitted me to take only a measly 60 minutes of luminance subs. The color subs would have to be taken next time (year). Next was Simeis 147. I managed to get only 90 minutes of H-alpha subs before the sky closed. On the way home, I kept thinking of what it could have been if there was no traffic going to the site. Well, for sure, I could have not imaged this wonderful galaxy!

AAPOD2 4th time!

When it rains, it pours! My Crescent Nebula image taken at home was chosen as AAPOD for November 16, 2014. This is my fourth AAPOD image. Hope that this will not be the last. Modesty aside, I take enormous pride when my images are recognized by an international amateur astronomy organization. It somehow takes away the tiredness and expenses associated with astro imaging. Thus, a nice self-reward is in order. Now, where is the best ice-blended mocha coffee . . .

http://www.aapodx2.com/2014/20141116.html