My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the current state of the universe as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 9 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 106. It seemed almost ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to NGC 2723. It was easy, just like black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found B 491. It looked exactly like black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I observed IC 2806 in Sagittarius. It gave the appearance of a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged M 14 in Serpens. It was even more difficult than cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found M 24 in Serpens. It glowed, rather like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to M 14. It seemed most like a UFO. Then, I found IC 3798 in Ursa Minor. It would be easy to confuse with 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see M 47 in Ophiuchus. It would be easy to confuse with Dubya. After that, I added to my logbook Abell 41. It somewhat resembled a whale spouting.

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 observing reports.


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

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