My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the morality of the universe as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 10 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 52 in Antlia. It appeared to be cotton on velvet.

After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I hunted B 143. It looked a bit like the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off M 92. It was a dead ringer for blackness. Then, I glimpsed NGC 1352. It seemed almost diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, I nudged my telescope to Abell 13. It was a dead ringer for a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I sketched Abell 63. It appeared at low power like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to M 75. It looked like a cantilever bra. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see Abell 18. It was a blurry likeness of a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 6782. It seemed fainter than the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see Abell 80. It took me back to the first time I saw a cantilever bra. After that, I found by accident NGC 2011. It appeared in the eyepiece like a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected NGC 5269. It was a dead ringer for ripples of water. Next, I observed IC 2302 in Ursa Minor. It was better than cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried IC 1327. It looked a bit like a spitting cobra.

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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.


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

(Don't forget to hit reload.)