My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of chaos theory as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 16 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 90. It reminded me of one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, I studied IC 1100. It was a blurry likeness of George W. Bush. Then, I tracked down B 404. It was better than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I tracked down NGC 4466 in Perseus. It looked exactly like spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed B 429. It would be easy to confuse with diamonds on black velvet.

After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I observed IC 18. It sparkled like cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I identified IC 3706 in Hydra. It looked like its Hubble photograph. After that, I had a chance to see M 4. It seemed just like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, for a real challenge, I logged Abell 62 in Triangulum. It seemed just like a swarm of bees.

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 a night watching an I Love Lucy marathon on Nick at Night.


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

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