My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the deep impact of the human spirit 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 46 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 24. It looked exactly like Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched IC 3403. It took me back to the first time I saw black pearls on flocked paper. After that, I tried IC 894. It seemed just like blackness. Then, I nudged my telescope to Abell 25. It looked uncannily like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find IC 1672 in Triangulum. It seemed just like a far-away cloud. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down IC 3037. It looked a bit like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, I star-hopped to Abell 87. It somewhat resembled the eternal nothingness of being. Then, I added to my logbook Abell 42 in Lyra. It seemed fainter than Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I studied Abell 49. It was not quite as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I observed M 10. It was a blurry likeness of cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I had a chance to see NGC 2402. It looked like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I had a chance to see B 318 in Ophiuchus. It reminded me of desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched Abell 79 in Cygnus. It seemed almost fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I hunted IC 3813. It was like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off Abell 15 in Sagittarius. It gave the appearance of cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I hunted IC 1288. It appeared as Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I went for B 39. It was as bright as cotton candy. Then, I logged Abell 47 in Ursa Minor. It looked a bit like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected NGC 3785. It looked like fleecy wool. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried IC 854 in Camelopardalis. It appeared in the eyepiece like Santa Claus.

After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I slewed to M 11. It was even more difficult than George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied IC 3805. It seemed almost ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I observed M 84. It glowed, rather like blackness.

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) .

(Don't forget to hit reload.)