My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the current implications of Plato's Republic 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 48 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 73. It appeared at low power like nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I hunted M 35. It appeared to be a nebula. Next, I showed some guests NGC 5897. It seemed fainter than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo.

After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I accidentally located Abell 79. It was even more difficult than a spider. With that checked off my list, I found Abell 25. It took me back to the first time I saw nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched NGC 631 in Sagittarius. It was as bright as diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests M 56. It seemed fainter than a swarm of bees. With that checked off my list, I found by accident B 457. It appeared to be a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident M 109 in Serpens. It sparkled like fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I tracked down Abell 74. It seemed almost the eye of God. After that, I hunted for M 27. It gave the appearance of nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched Abell 55 in Scutum. It appeared in the eyepiece like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I had a chance to see B 34 in Lepus. It was not quite as bright as Dubya. Then, I star-hopped to IC 1855. It took me back to the first time I saw the invisible man. Next, I sought B 149. It seemed fainter than a UFO.

After a short break to chat, I tracked down IC 1920. It took me back to the first time I saw R2-D2. Next, I located M 45. It looked uncannily like fleecy wool. Next, I tracked down B 4. It sparkled like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, I checked out NGC 6494. It would be easy to confuse with a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I star-hopped to Abell 15. It looked a bit like Dubya. Next, I glimpsed M 72. It was like R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried B 394. It looked a bit like black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted Abell 9. It was not quite as bright as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I checked out IC 2349. It was not quite as bright as Gollum.

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 stacking 400 Mars images by hand.


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

(Don't forget to hit reload.)