My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 4 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 37 in Cygnus. It seemed almost Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected Abell 28. It was better than the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off NGC 4256. It sparkled like a swarm of bees. Then, for a real challenge, I located NGC 338 in that confusing part of Virgo. It would be easy to confuse with cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see IC 3278 in Hydra. It shimmered, as if it were an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched B 55. It compared favorably with Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I helped a beginner find Abell 34. It seemed fainter than cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at Abell 53 in Gemini. It somewhat resembled Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I went for IC 3870 in Ursa Major. It looked like the pillars of creation. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down M 44. It looked like cotton candy. After that, I star-hopped to NGC 3623. It seemed most like ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon IC 3709. It looked uncannily like the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected B 111 in Sculptor. It looked uncannily like Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see Abell 89 in Septans. It seemed just like an inflamed monkey butt.

After a short break to do some yoga, I went for NGC 2504 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It glowed, rather like an inflamed monkey butt.

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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.


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

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