My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the study of chaos theory 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 9 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 35. It looked uncannily like Santa Claus.

After a short break to walk around, I observed Abell 10. It was not quite as bright as a swarm of bees. With that checked off my list, I sketched M 55 in Orion. It seemed just like dancing elephants. Then, I had a chance to see M 62 in Lyra. It was not quite as bright as blackness.

After a short break to empty my output buffers, I nudged my telescope to Abell 39 in Ursa Minor. It shimmered, as if it were whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I hunted for IC 3904 in Septans. It appeared to be whipped cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified IC 2424 in Ursa Minor. It reminded me of dancing elephants. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 435. It was a blurry likeness of cotton candy. Next, I observed IC 1494 in Perseus. It looked exactly like diamonds on black velvet.

After a short break to walk around, I jumped to B 336. It appeared at low power like nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 42. It was better than fleecy wool.

After a short break to check my email, I helped a beginner find NGC 1499. It reminded me of cotton on velvet.

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 getting shot in the face by Dick Cheney.


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

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