My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of tight underwear as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 12 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 32 in Fornax. It appeared to be an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located B 171. It looked like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I hunted for NGC 6128. It seemed almost nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I looked at Abell 29. It appeared in the eyepiece like the pillars of creation. After that, I glimpsed M 67. It appeared in the eyepiece like black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off B 306. It was even more difficult than Gollum. After that, I nudged my telescope to B 406. It appeared in the eyepiece like a cantilever bra. After that, I sought M 21 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It seemed almost diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 4179 in Scutum. It appeared as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I went for NGC 4505. It looked like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.

After a short break to cut some cheese, I jumped to B 29. It sparkled like black pearls on flocked paper. After that, I located Abell 59. It appeared to be a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.

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 stale peeps.


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

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