My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of Dilbert as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 14 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 35. It shimmered, as if it were dandruff on black satin pajamas. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at NGC 4693. It was even more difficult than blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at NGC 5814. It seemed most like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 2552 in Draco. It appeared to be diamonds on black velvet. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests B 217. It shimmered, as if it were a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident M 40. It glowed, rather like the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests NGC 2120. It somewhat resembled a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, I found NGC 2059. It seemed fainter than spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I sketched NGC 3091 in the western sky. It was better than a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off NGC 674 in Fornax. It somewhat resembled the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I stumbled upon B 338 in Sculptor. It appeared in the eyepiece like fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off M 46. It looked exactly like Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed NGC 6293. It was better than nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon NGC 1927 in Perseus. It seemed fainter than lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident NGC 6482. It appeared in the eyepiece like Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I slewed to M 60. It was a blurry likeness of a swarm of bees. Next, I tracked down Abell 59. It glowed, rather like its Hubble photograph. Then, I identified B 20. It was a blurry likeness of nothing I'd ever seen before.

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 ebola.


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

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