My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the higher implications of chaos theory 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 0 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 43. It was not quite as bright as a spider. After that, I glimpsed B 338. It reminded me of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted NGC 2632 in Lynx. It looked uncannily like blackness. Then, I nudged my telescope to M 40. It appeared as the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook Abell 92. It was not quite as bright as 60 grit carborundum on asphalt.

After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I checked off IC 1766. It appeared at low power like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged M 75. It was a blurry likeness of a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to Abell 27. It looked a bit like a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to Abell 18. It reminded me of R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to IC 1100. It appeared in the eyepiece like cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I tried for Abell 74 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It compared favorably with diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I sketched IC 3146 in Ophiuchus. It glowed, rather like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.

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 internet sex.


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

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