My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the insignificance of television as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 39 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 69. It appeared in the eyepiece like a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I logged B 643 in Lynx. It looked uncannily like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I slewed to Abell 30. It looked a bit like cotton on velvet.

After a short break to chat, I logged NGC 592 in Lyra. It took me back to the first time I saw Demi Moore. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located M 110 in Sagittarius. It gave the appearance of dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located NGC 176 in Lyra. It was a dead ringer for smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 570. It seemed fainter than the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident NGC 5721. It looked uncannily like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I accidentally located IC 1287 in Serpens. It took me back to the first time I saw a whale spouting. After that, I tried for IC 549 in that confusing part of Virgo. It looked uncannily like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests NGC 4007. It took me back to the first time I saw R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I identified B 505. It was a blurry likeness of diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see IC 2726. It appeared as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I sought Abell 59 in Ophiuchus. It glowed, rather like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for Abell 84 in Triangulum. It took me back to the first time I saw diamonds on black velvet. After that, I jumped to Abell 14. It shimmered, as if it were the face of God. Then, I logged M 13. It was like a swarm of bees. Next, I added to my logbook IC 2239. It shimmered, as if it were a whale spouting.

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 reading observing reports.


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

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