My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the study of TAC as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 44 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 35 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It shimmered, as if it were a smoke ring. With that checked off my list, I sought NGC 4538 in Perseus. It was a dead ringer for nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon NGC 4200 in that confusing part of Virgo. It looked like cotton on velvet. After that, I found NGC 581 in the western sky. It looked a bit like Gollum. With that checked off my list, I tried for M 75. It looked like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I had a chance to see B 475. It was like blackness. Then, I studied B 582. It appeared in the eyepiece like diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I nudged my telescope to M 48. It seemed fainter than George W. Bush. After that, I studied NGC 4666. It reminded me of nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, for a real challenge, I found M 66. It was as bright as Gollum. After that, I tracked down NGC 6187 in Canes Venatici. It seemed almost lumpy darkness. Then, I located Abell 54. It was easy, just like diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down IC 2703. It appeared in the eyepiece like a UFO. With that checked off my list, I checked out Abell 67. It seemed just like a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon B 650. It was a blurry likeness of a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted NGC 5273. It was a dead ringer for desert sand. After that, I looked at NGC 3008 in Draco. It was better than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I sketched IC 937. It compared favorably with R2-D2. After that, I slewed to B 139. It took me back to the first time I saw a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I observed B 288. It gave the appearance of a swarm of bees.

After a short break to empty my output buffers, I studied Abell 58. It reminded me of whispy tendrils of nebulosity.

Finally, it was time to pack up and leave. As I drove home, I contemplated the events of the night, and realized that any night out under the sky with good friends is better than reading Beowulf in Old English.


    ...Akkana (with help from David North, Jane Houston Jones, and Bill Arnett) .

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