My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of my life's work as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 4 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 16. It looked like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for NGC 468. It looked exactly like the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I tried for IC 3076. It appeared at low power like a far-away cloud. Next, I tried Abell 12 in Serpens. It appeared in the eyepiece like dancing elephants. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to NGC 2577 in Sagittarius. It was better than desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at B 220. It was easy, just like fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to IC 2210. It seemed most like the face of God.

After a short break to cut some cheese, I stumbled upon Abell 45. It would be easy to confuse with cotton on velvet. After that, I hunted B 164. It compared favorably with two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I found by accident IC 1435. It seemed most like cotton candy. Then, I tracked down Abell 94 in Ursa Major. It appeared in the eyepiece like an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I observed M 3 in Virgo. It was a blurry likeness of Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I sought M 4. It glowed, rather like the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed B 358 in Orion. It appeared as a smoke ring. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to M 70 in Antlia. It appeared in the eyepiece like desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at M 56. It shimmered, as if it were a spider. After that, I identified M 9 in Antlia. It glowed, rather like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I sought Abell 50. It reminded me of its Hubble photograph. After that, I found by accident M 98. It reminded me of Dubya.

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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.


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

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