My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of the human spirit as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 7 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 29. It was easy, just like Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched B 569. It was even more difficult than cotton on velvet. After that, I jumped to NGC 3821 in Sagittarius. It seemed fainter than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I went for IC 2042. It was as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I identified Abell 36 in Antlia. It seemed just like the pillars of creation. Then, I star-hopped to Abell 47. It was as bright as cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected NGC 1607. It was like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out NGC 6960. It seemed just like an inflamed monkey butt.

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.)