My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 0 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 52. It seemed almost whispy tendrils of nebulosity. With that checked off my list, I jumped to NGC 6255. It reminded me of diamonds on black velvet. With that checked off my list, I identified M 4. It seemed just like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I looked at NGC 1844 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It glowed, rather like a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook IC 1334. It seemed just like yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off IC 3564 in Perseus. It appeared at low power like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed Abell 9. It was a dead ringer for a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified NGC 2469. It appeared to be spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located B 601 in Scutum. It reminded me of dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, I hunted IC 1990. It shimmered, as if it were a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 40. It was like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed B 396. It took me back to the first time I saw the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I looked at NGC 6093. It somewhat resembled the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests B 151. It appeared to be a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I added to my logbook NGC 3951. It was like fleecy wool. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident NGC 5441 in Lynx. It seemed just like lumpy darkness. Then, I logged IC 17. It glowed, rather like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests NGC 727. It somewhat resembled a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected B 214. It appeared as the face of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed NGC 4429. It was not quite as bright as a Black Rider hunting for Frodo.

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 observing reports.


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

(Don't forget to hit reload.)