My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of Doonsbury as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 59 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 105. It was like the face of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon NGC 6075 in Perseus. It was not quite as bright as Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified NGC 6249. It reminded me of the face of God.

After a short break to cut some cheese, I found by accident NGC 2088. It seemed almost diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I identified IC 1878. It looked a bit like a smoke ring. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see M 2 in Canis Major. It sparkled like nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed Abell 85 in Lyra. It sparkled like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon IC 810. It compared favorably with whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located B 298. It shimmered, as if it were a swarm of bees.

After a short break to check my email, I star-hopped to B 321. It was a dead ringer for diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to Abell 10 in Perseus. It somewhat resembled a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried B 116 in Camelopardalis. It seemed almost a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to Abell 86. It was a dead ringer for ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I located M 49. It appeared as spent coals, faintly glowing.

After a short break to cut some cheese, I star-hopped to IC 2752. It was easy, just like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down Abell 74 in Scutum. It somewhat resembled its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to IC 2582. It gave the appearance of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I had a chance to see B 58 in Camelopardalis. It somewhat resembled whipped cream. After that, I accidentally located IC 1267 in Sculptor. It gave the appearance of Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I located B 80. It looked uncannily like cotton on velvet.

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 stacking 400 Mars images by hand.


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

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