My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty 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 10 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 31. It seemed most like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, I added to my logbook B 94 in Canes Venatici. It looked uncannily like the last six objects I'd seen. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed B 601. It somewhat resembled a cantilever bra. After that, I helped a beginner find NGC 2100. It looked a bit like cotton on velvet. Then, I tracked down NGC 2498. It was a blurry likeness of R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected NGC 1778. It gave the appearance of George W. Bush.

After a short break to empty my output buffers, I slewed to B 278. It shimmered, as if it were a whale spouting. With that checked off my list, I tried B 112 in Ursa Major. It seemed almost that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I observed M 76. It was like whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find IC 3273 in Camelopardalis. It reminded me of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I observed B 428. It seemed almost cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I looked at Abell 24 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared as the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests Abell 28. It gave the appearance of Alan Rickman. After that, I found by accident Abell 77 in Scutum. It was even more difficult than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I jumped to M 88. It was a blurry likeness of dandruff on black satin pajamas.

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 cleaning the bathroom.


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

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