My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the current implications of the internet 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 50 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 101. It was not quite as bright as black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I tried for M 34. It was easy, just like a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find IC 2990. It looked exactly like a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to B 206. It appeared in the eyepiece like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down B 437 in Canes Venatici. It looked uncannily like ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off M 96. It was as bright as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I jumped to B 116. It reminded me of a nebula. After that, I stumbled upon NGC 4963 in Fornax. It compared favorably with the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed IC 2687 in the western sky. It seemed just like yet another globular.

After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I slewed to IC 2945. It would be easy to confuse with dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I sought NGC 3069. It was like its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I observed M 57. It somewhat resembled black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to Abell 92 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was a dead ringer for a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to Abell 60 in Ursa Major. It shimmered, as if it were desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to B 272 in Camelopardalis. It seemed fainter than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).

After a short break to walk around, I found NGC 5106. It was like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I star-hopped to NGC 1881. It was like a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought NGC 1281. It appeared to be the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected B 510. It was easy, just like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I identified IC 116. It gave the appearance of ripples of water.

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) .

(Don't forget to hit reload.)