My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of economic theory as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 17 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 29. It gave the appearance of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located NGC 6728. It was as bright as a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I stumbled upon IC 389 in the western sky. It was better than a spider. Next, I slewed to M 78. It looked uncannily like the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I sought B 351 in Perseus. It seemed almost Santa Claus.

After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I added to my logbook B 404. It was a dead ringer for Smokey the Bear. After that, I identified NGC 3995. It shimmered, as if it were whipped cream. Next, I glimpsed IC 3925. It reminded me of Alan Rickman. Next, I logged NGC 2370 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It compared favorably with a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find NGC 5478. It appeared in the eyepiece like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I sketched NGC 5290. It shimmered, as if it were diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located Abell 33. It was easy, just like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified B 287. It was like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I helped a beginner find IC 3346 in Pisces Austrinus. It reminded me of Gollum. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out M 99. It took me back to the first time I saw a waterfall. Next, I sought NGC 6119 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared in the eyepiece like Dubya. With that checked off my list, I identified M 104 in Canes Venatici. It was a blurry likeness of ripples of water.

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 Segmentation fault (core dumped).


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

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