October 8, 2014 ALP Total Lunar Eclipse Observsation Session Report
by James Kevin Ty
Images by James Kevin Ty and Edge Lat

Last October 8, despite the fact that the weather forecast  was not very good, ALP President James Kevin Ty and member Alberto Lao proceeded to setup at Albert's residence roof deck which is about 26th floor high. They were joined by GMA7 reporter Katrina Kaye Son and her video crew that evening. James set up his Canon EOS 500D DSLR with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS L lens set at 400mm f/5.6 mounted on top of Vixen Polarie star tracker. Albert on the other hand setup his Sony Nex 6  with AF500mm f/8 mirror lens mounted on Ioptron Star Tracker. The Moon was not visible until around 6:15pm as it faintly show its dim eclipse glow behind a hazy sky background. During that time, the Moon had already entered totality phase. The sky was clear all the way until end of umbra wherein clouds started to cover up the sky again. During totality phase, James was able to locate planet Uranus as well as 2 moderate bright stars WW Piscium and SAO 109563. Overall, the group coverage of the total lunar eclipse was still successful. As they say, despite against all odds, sometimes MIRACLE do happen as they were blessed with good sky under a very bad predicted weather outlook that evening :)

ALPer Alberto Lao beside his Sony Nex 6 with AF 500mm f/8 mirror lens on Ioptron Star Tracker.

ALP President James Kevin Ty beside his Canon EOS 500D DSLR on Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS L lens on Vixen Polarie Star Tracker.

Group Shot

Likewise, some ALPers also setup their own observing sites with another site B team in Sta Ana headed by ALP Secretary Christopher Louie Lu with ALPer Edge Lat.  They set up at the roofdeck of Edge Lat's residence and was also able to successfully image the eclipse from 6:30pm onwards.

ALPer Edge Lat beside his Canon 60D DSLR with Canon EF300mm f/4 L lens on sturdy tripod.

ALP Secretary Christopher Louie Lu beside his Canon EOS 450D DSLR with EFS55-250mm lens and Canon SX50 camera.