My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the morality of my 401K as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 42 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 22 in Sagittarius. It appeared as a far-away cloud. Then, I added to my logbook IC 2936. It looked exactly like a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I checked out B 169. It seemed most like a cantilever bra. After that, I star-hopped to B 351 in Sagittarius. It looked a bit like a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down IC 1386. It glowed, rather like fleecy wool.

After a short break to have a smoke, I hunted NGC 1655. It seemed fainter than cotton candy. Then, I hunted Abell 12. It gave the appearance of a whale spouting.

After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I observed B 375 in Sagittarius. It was a blurry likeness of a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged NGC 1866. It was better than a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located NGC 5601. It was as bright as a little triangle. Next, I looked for and suspected NGC 3816. It seemed just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, I identified NGC 2114. It took me back to the first time I saw Demi Moore.

After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I tried for B 182. It shimmered, as if it were the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests B 360 in Sagittarius. It was easy, just like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I went for Abell 89. It gave the appearance of the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I jumped to NGC 4175. It seemed fainter than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I observed B 539. It gave the appearance of an inflamed monkey butt. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located Abell 38. It was a blurry likeness of the pillars of creation. After that, I looked at B 95. It shimmered, as if it were a waterfall.

After a short break to recite my mantra, I logged Abell 62 in Perseus. It seemed almost the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located M 4. It seemed fainter than a UFO. Then, I helped a beginner find NGC 2635. It was easy, just like fleecy wool. Then, I helped a beginner find Abell 47. It gave the appearance of the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I checked out Abell 91. It appeared in the eyepiece like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.

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 being strapped naked to an anthill.


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

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