My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the popularity of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 2 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 105. It shimmered, as if it were one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I hunted IC 3043. It appeared at low power like Alan Rickman. Next, I logged M 38 in Perseus. It glowed, rather like a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I located IC 2511. It somewhat resembled Demi Moore. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to M 106. It sparkled like George W. Bush. Next, I tracked down IC 586. It looked like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I logged Abell 39 in Scorpius. It was a dead ringer for Gollum. Next, I added to my logbook NGC 1904. It took me back to the first time I saw a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off IC 1866. It was even more difficult than Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I sought NGC 667 in Lepus. It reminded me of Demi Moore. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident M 60 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was as bright as a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted NGC 218. It was like its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to M 7. It somewhat resembled Dubya. Then, I studied IC 1169. It seemed most like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 615 in Orion. It was easy, just like fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find M 38 in Perseus. It somewhat resembled cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I observed NGC 265. It was not quite as bright as a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted M 50. It seemed almost a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon B 163. It was not quite as bright as a spider. With that checked off my list, I found by accident NGC 844. It was not quite as bright as whipped cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off B 358. It sparkled like nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook IC 85 in Septans. It seemed most like George W. Bush.

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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