My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the deep impact of my 401K as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 0 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 82. It looked exactly like a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified M 107. It was easy, just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed B 566. It glowed, rather like nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I stumbled upon B 148. It seemed most like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I tried IC 1028. It looked uncannily like the invisible man. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 438 in Lyra. It was like a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see Abell 42. It compared favorably with the invisible man. Then, I looked at B 29. It was not quite as bright as Dubya. With that checked off my list, I tried IC 3078 in Scorpius. It compared favorably with the eye of God. Next, I looked at Abell 32. It looked a bit like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged Abell 48. It compared favorably with dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed B 118. It compared favorably with blackness. With that checked off my list, I hunted for Abell 42. It was easy, just like the pillars of creation. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down Abell 11 in Perseus. It glowed, rather like dancing elephants. Next, I tracked down NGC 3702. It sparkled like spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed M 86 in Corvus. It was easy, just like a spider.

After a short break to chat, I accidentally located NGC 2134 in Ursa Major. It was a dead ringer for a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to NGC 1901. It glowed, rather like fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to NGC 6212. It glowed, rather like Demi Moore. Next, I identified B 12. It was a blurry likeness of a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for IC 3087 in Triangulum. It seemed fainter than desert sand.

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 stale peeps.


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

(Don't forget to hit reload.)