My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the higher implications of Doonsbury 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 56 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 75. It was a blurry likeness of lumpy darkness.

After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I sought M 106. It shimmered, as if it were lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests B 571. It seemed fainter than a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find M 67. It glowed, rather like nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I identified Abell 60. It was like Dubya. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed M 56. It appeared at low power like fleecy wool. Next, I looked for and suspected NGC 483 in Fornax. It reminded me of a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged M 14 in Ursa Minor. It seemed just like Demi Moore. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located Abell 92. It compared favorably with a UFO.

After a short break to do some yoga, I checked out M 68. It was like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I glimpsed Abell 62. It was as bright as Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find Abell 32. It sparkled like black pearls on flocked paper. After that, I found M 107. It gave the appearance of a far-away cloud. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted Abell 9. It was as bright as the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.

After a short break to have a smoke, I found M 4 in Fornax. It shimmered, as if it were whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I went for IC 2659. It looked like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, I helped a beginner find NGC 1343. It looked a bit like fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I observed NGC 4678. It was a blurry likeness of lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought B 516 in Triangulum. It reminded me of the last six objects I'd seen. After that, I checked off M 88. It was like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected B 441 in Antlia. It appeared in the eyepiece like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted M 7. It was better than the eternal nothingness of being.

After a short break to converse with an owl, I studied IC 2236 in Canes Venatici. It appeared to be yet another globular.

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 sex.


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

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