My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the current state of my 401K as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 54 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 99. It was not quite as bright as a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed IC 3632. It seemed most like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I logged M 24. It reminded me of desert sand. After that, I tried IC 1605 in Perseus. It seemed just like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to B 154. It took me back to the first time I saw George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I tried for NGC 1636. It reminded me of a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted NGC 4548. It seemed fainter than a UFO. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected M 40. It was a blurry likeness of Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I went for M 103. It looked uncannily like the invisible man.

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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