My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the current implications of my 401K as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 59 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 60. It was better than a spider. After that, I checked off B 519. It was a dead ringer for yet another globular. With that checked off my list, I tracked down NGC 2347. It reminded me of Demi Moore. Then, I looked for and suspected M 22 in Draco. It glowed, rather like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected IC 3673 in Virgo. It was better than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located B 71. It looked like Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see M 15 in Fornax. It seemed just like Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I hunted for IC 124. It was better than nothing I'd ever seen before.

After a short break to do some yoga, I nudged my telescope to Abell 50. It gave the appearance of nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I found Abell 81. It looked a bit like the pillars of creation.

After a short break to walk around, I studied IC 2669 in Scorpius. It sparkled like the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified NGC 1921 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was a blurry likeness of desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to NGC 6845. It looked exactly like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located NGC 2301. It was easy, just like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I logged Abell 52. It was even more difficult than two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I logged Abell 61 in Ophiuchus. It looked uncannily like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out B 172. It was a dead ringer for a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found B 306. It appeared to be desert sand. After that, I found M 70. It reminded me of black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I identified NGC 2277. It reminded me of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off M 89. It looked like nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I nudged my telescope to IC 3476. It was not quite as bright as Demi Moore. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests NGC 1117. It took me back to the first time I saw cotton candy.

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 Beowulf in Old English.


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

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