My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the current state of Norse mythology as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 37 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 109. It was a dead ringer for blackness. Then, I sought NGC 5390 in Pisces Austrinus. It looked like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to IC 1908. It was a blurry likeness of the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I looked at IC 2570. It would be easy to confuse with whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I observed B 76. It looked a bit like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I tried M 75 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It reminded me of one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for B 371. It seemed almost the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at IC 186. It somewhat resembled a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for M 89. It was easy, just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I studied B 388. It was even more difficult than a UFO. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 33. It looked like lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located Abell 15. It looked uncannily like cotton candy. Then, I helped a beginner find NGC 2610. It sparkled like a waterfall. After that, I observed B 261 in Cygnus. It appeared as ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted NGC 5261. It would be easy to confuse with a swarm of bees. Then, I helped a beginner find IC 1196. It appeared in the eyepiece like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I tried IC 568. It was like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, I showed some guests B 489 in Ophiuchus. It was a dead ringer for the invisible man. After that, I hunted M 49 in Gemini. It appeared as ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down Abell 35. It looked a bit like a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to Abell 45. It seemed most like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located NGC 4025. It was better than yet another globular. Then, I hunted for IC 1730. It seemed most like a little triangle. After that, I sketched NGC 877. It sparkled like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.

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 stale peeps.


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

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