November 1-2, 2013 ALP Caliraya Stargazing Session
by James Kevin Ty
Images by James Kevin Ty, Mike Enage, Mark Vornhusen, Ronald Sison, Arnel Campos & Andrew Ian Chan

Last November 1, 2013 , some members of the Astronomical League of the Philippines proceeded to Caliraya, Laguna to start off their 2 nights Caliraya stargazing session . Members who were present were ALP President James Kevin Ty, wife Charito and son Kendrick Cole KC Ty;  Manuel Goseco, Mike Enage, Mark Vornhusen, Ronald Sison, wife Adriel, children Adrian, Aleecia & Aldrin; and Michael Thomas.

As they arrive at the site, they were a bit surprised by the slightly higher water level at their observing area and thus raise some concerns to some of the members.  Nevertheless, they still setup in the early evening.  James , Mark, Michael and Mike opted to stay put in their usual observing area while the rest setup their scopes at the upper deck area of the camp early in the evening.

James brought along his Canon 500D DSLR with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS L lens mounted on Vixen GP-DX mount; Mike Enage brought along his Nikon D7100 DSLR on TMB 92 refractor on Vixen GP-DX mount ; Mark with his portable Sony DSLR on Nikon 180mm f/2.8 lens mounted on Vixen Polarie Star Tracker ;  Ronald with his William Optics Zenithstar 80 refractor on Skywatcher EQ-5 mount ; Michael with his Meade 12" f/10 LX200 mount ; Manuel with his Celestron C6N Newtonian reflector on EQ-4 mount.

The sky was clear the early evening till around 2:00am when clouds started to partially cover the sky.  James initially have some problem with his autoguider system but was able to address the issue and image M45 Pleiades star cluster.  Mike got to image also M45 Pleiades star cluster , M42 Orion Nebula , and Horsehead Nebula.  Mark imaged M45 Pleiades star cluster, M31 Andromeda Galaxy, Comets ISON & LoveJoy, M42 Orion Nebula wide field.

M45 Pleaides star cluster by James Kevin Ty	M45 Pleaides star cluster by Mike Enage
M42 Orion Nebula by Mike Enage	M42 Orion Nebula Region by Mark Vornhusen
Horsehead Nebula by Mike Enage	M31 Andromeda Galaxy by Mark Vornhusen
Comet C/2013 R1 Lovejoy by Mark Vornhusen	Comet C/2012 S1 Lovejoy ISON by Mark Vornhusen
Orion Wide Field by Ronald Sison	M45 Pleaides star cluster by Arnel Campos

After 3:00am, they packed up their stuff to get a much needed rest for next night imaging session.   In the morning, the kids played around the lake shore while the moms cooked up breakfasts for the group members.  ALPers also use the time to power up their batteries thru generosity of Mike's 6HP generator :)

ALP director Arnel Campos came in around 10:30am as well as ALPer Gary Andreassen , wife Irma, and family in the afternoon.  ALP treasurer Andrew Ian Chan and Iah Serna arrived later in the evening. Arnel brought along his Astro Scientific 102 refractor and Skywatcher HEQ-5 mount while Andrew and Gary brought along their Vixen Polarie Star Trackers. Unfortunately, the weather for day 2 was bad as they were treated with abrupt heavy downpour of rain.  With damaged tent and wet sleeping gears as well as KC's bad cough and cold as well as Ronald's kids, James , Ronald and Michael decided to call it a night and excused themselves to head back home leaving ALPers Mike, Mark, Arnel, Andrew, Iah, Gary and family to finish off the 2nd night.

At around 10:30pm, the night sky opened up a bit in the zenith but Polaris could not be located because of heavy clouds .  It was only around 3:00am before Polaris showed up but after 30 minutes, another heavy rain followed so they also call it a day and get some rest before they head back home in the morning.

Astro Kids just want to have fun at the lake shore :)	It's packing up time for ALPer Michael's 12" LX200 SCT.
ALPers pose beside the Meage 12" LX200 SCT.	It's pack up time as well for ALPer Manuel Goseco.
It's rest and bird watching time while waiting for evening to come :)	ALPer Mike Enage taking some windsurfing images through his TMB92 refractor.
Bonding time as well for ALP moms Charito & Adriel :)	ALPer Michael teaching the kids on basic astronomy :)
ALPer Rona'd and wife Adriel wait together for sunrise.	Full Rainbow by ALPer Andrew Ian Chan