My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of chaos theory as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 57 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 49 in Perseus. It glowed, rather like Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found NGC 6638 in Canis Major. It gave the appearance of R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I studied B 407. It seemed most like a waterfall. Next, I checked off IC 3902. It looked exactly like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I located NGC 3014 in Sculptor. It took me back to the first time I saw the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I logged NGC 6723. It shimmered, as if it were a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests IC 2868. It would be easy to confuse with a spitting cobra. After that, I found by accident Abell 24. It appeared as a little triangle. Next, I hunted for M 65 in Septans. It took me back to the first time I saw Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off Abell 3. It seemed almost a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, I logged NGC 2656. It was like desert sand. Next, I jumped to Abell 14. It was as bright as 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to M 7 in Sculptor. It gave the appearance of the invisible man. After that, I looked at B 402. It looked like the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see IC 1632. It was a blurry likeness of spent coals, faintly glowing.

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 cleaning the bathroom.


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

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