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 26 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 6. It was better than dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located NGC 4966 in Lepus. It sparkled like a swarm of bees.

After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I identified IC 2025. It looked uncannily like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed B 587. It appeared as cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see Abell 70 in Hydra. It appeared in the eyepiece like a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied M 77 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It looked a bit like a nebula.

After a short break to cut some cheese, I studied M 85. It somewhat resembled the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests B 101 in Triangulum. It took me back to the first time I saw blackness. Then, I found NGC 3087 in Virgo. It appeared as spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down NGC 6690 in Perseus. It somewhat resembled Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to M 82 in Triangulum. It was as bright as the invisible man.

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 phone sex.


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

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