My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the higher implications of Yahoo P/E ratios 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 43 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 93. It reminded me of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests NGC 3201. It was even more difficult than a spitting cobra. Next, I found by accident B 623. It looked a bit like desert sand.

After a short break to chat, I stumbled upon NGC 6148. It glowed, rather like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at M 110. It shimmered, as if it were diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon Abell 94. It would be easy to confuse with a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I slewed to Abell 63. It took me back to the first time I saw an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.

After a short break to warm up in the car, I nudged my telescope to B 208. It was as bright as Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I studied NGC 3609. It was a dead ringer for a cantilever bra. Next, I located IC 847 in Ursa Major. It took me back to the first time I saw spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I helped a beginner find NGC 327 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It reminded me of Dubya. Then, I found M 91. It seemed just like a waterfall. After that, I accidentally located M 96. It gave the appearance of one of Martha Stewart's doilies.

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 getting shot in the face by Dick Cheney.


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

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