My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the insignificance of chaos theory 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 5 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 13. It was easy, just like cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon Abell 61 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It would be easy to confuse with nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 1406 in Camelopardalis. It looked uncannily like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for IC 230. It seemed almost cotton on velvet. Then, I glimpsed NGC 6459. It looked exactly like a UFO. Next, I hunted for M 90. It glowed, rather like the last six objects I'd seen. After that, I showed some guests B 576. It was even more difficult than nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook B 324 in Septans. It was better than its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident B 505 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It gave the appearance of a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for M 57. It compared favorably with Gollum. Then, for a real challenge, I located IC 1150 in Orion. It seemed most like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried NGC 2553. It gave the appearance of cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon Abell 90. It was even more difficult than desert sand. After that, I found B 631. It gave the appearance of diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, I tried NGC 4105 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was a dead ringer for a spider. After that, I identified NGC 1681. It appeared at low power like a cantilever bra. After that, I helped a beginner find NGC 4432. It seemed most like its Hubble photograph.

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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