My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the morality of Doonsbury as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 47 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 36 in Lepus. It was a dead ringer for the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After that, I added to my logbook Abell 30. It was not quite as bright as dancing elephants. After that, I checked off B 128 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared as Gollum. Next, I jumped to IC 926 in Ophiuchus. It was a blurry likeness of desert sand. Next, I looked for and suspected NGC 1744. It sparkled like spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I sought IC 590. It was a blurry likeness of the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out IC 2343 in Lepus. It appeared at low power like the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I observed B 546. It seemed fainter than Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I tracked down B 264. It appeared in the eyepiece like Santa Claus. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for NGC 6196 in Ursa Minor. It was a blurry likeness of a far-away cloud. Then, I added to my logbook IC 581. It appeared to be cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I sketched NGC 5613. It was a dead ringer for blackness.

After a short break to converse with an owl, I added to my logbook M 90 in Gemini. It was not quite as bright as a glimmer of the Big Bang.

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 being strapped naked to an anthill.


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

(Don't forget to hit reload.)