With obsession in the sky of Ginowan. A "moon chaser's" lunar eclipse photography through thick clouds.

Introduction: An Okinawan night filled with a mix of anticipation and anxiety

For astronomy enthusiasts, a lunar eclipse is a special event. The sun, Earth, and the moon—we eagerly await the moment when the cosmic machine's massive gears mesh, dramatically transforming the everyday night sky. This time, I set up my observation base in Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture. It should have been a perfect location for viewing the coppery red moon rising against the clear night sky of the tropics. However, the gods of nature are not so kind. Looking up at the sky from evening onwards, all I saw was a thick, merciless expanse of clouds. I checked the weather forecast repeatedly and examined satellite images, but the situation did not improve at all. "It might not happen today..." Though such words of resignation crossed my mind, I couldn't pack up my equipment. Because my heart had already transformed into a **"moon chaser"** that transcended logic.

Filming challenges: battling storms, clouds, and Dwarf3.

My companion for this trip was the smart telescope **"Dwarf3"**. Its compact size, high-performance autofocus, and automatic tracking functions are normally a great asset for astronomical shows like this. However, the conditions in Ginowan that day were, without exaggeration, "the worst." 1. Persistent clouds obstructing the view Clouds rolled in one after another, as if mocking my desire to capture the entire lunar eclipse. I stared at the sky, searching for gaps in the clouds, but for long periods I couldn't even tell where the moon was. 2. Strong winds Adding insult to injury were the strong winds unique to Okinawa. The Dwarf3 is lightweight due to its mobility, but that also means it is directly affected by strong winds. Even with the tripod firmly fixed, the body shook slightly with every gust of wind, and the moon on the preview screen was unstable. 3. Autofocus struggles I tried to take a shot in the brief moment when the clouds thinned, but then the autofocus (AF) struggled. Because the target was often hidden by thin clouds or swayed by the wind, the lens frequently struggled to focus, resulting in a phenomenon known as "wobbling." "Please, just stay still for now," I thought, gripping the screen tightly. While trusting in the equipment's capabilities, I ended up retrying many times with a sense of prayer.

Turning Point: The Unwavering Determination of a "Moon Chaser"

By evening, there was a general feeling that "it doesn't look like we'll be able to see it today." In fact, I even considered packing up my equipment at one point. However, when I caught a glimpse of light filtering through a gap in the clouds, something inside me switched on. "I've come this far to prepare, can I really go home now?" "I want to see it, even if only for a second." At that moment, I felt like a **"moon chaser"**. If it were just about collecting astronomical data, I could just watch live streams online. But that's not it. Standing on my own two feet, using my own equipment, feeling the coldness of the wind, chasing the light that exists only in this moment. I realized that the process itself had value. The act of chasing the moon is somehow lonely, yet it is a pure and unadulterated passion. An inexplicable "obsession" became the driving force that broke through the heavy clouds.

The miraculous minute: The encounter at 8:16 PM

The moment arrived suddenly. It was around 8:16 PM. As if someone had opened a curtain, the thin clouds covering the sky over Ginowan vanished, revealing the waning moon from behind. "It's here...!" I immediately operated the Dwarf3. Desperately holding down the camera body which was shaking in the strong wind, and manually fine-tuning the erratic autofocus, I started shooting a time-lapse with all my might. I managed to record only about a minute. It wasn't the perfect whole picture I had originally intended, from the beginning to the end of the waning moon. However, it captured a vivid "moon shadow" that even included the battle with the clouds and the swaying of the wind. This one-minute video condenses all the despair of the previous hours and the time I never gave up. This "gritty minute" has become a far more valuable treasure to me than a perfect astrophotograph.

In conclusion: Chasing the next moon

Observing this lunar eclipse was by no means an "easy shoot." Rather, it was an experience that made me acutely aware of the harshness of nature, both technically and mentally. But that's precisely what makes it interesting. If I could capture perfect footage with the push of a button, I might not have become so passionate as a "moon chaser." The weather not going as planned, the limitations of the equipment, and the passion to overcome them—all of these coming together reaffirmed to me that the drama of "astronomical observation" is only completed. The moon's shadow that appeared in the sky over Ginowan this time was a small but certain reward from the universe for those who persistently gazed up at the sky. As part of my activities as # Ima-chan Stargazing Guide, I would like to continue chasing the beautiful yet capricious stars under the Okinawan sky. What kind of drama did you see from where you are? I hope that in the next astronomical show, we can record an even longer "story of the moon" under a clear sky.

Shooting data memo

Location: Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture Date and Time: Around 8:16 PM, March 4, 2026

Equipment: Dwarf3 (Smart Telescope)

Weather conditions: Strong winds, many cumulus clouds (for photography)

Difficulty: ★★★★★ (A double whammy of clouds and wind!)