My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of economic theory 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 24 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 20 in Gemini. It seemed just like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I hunted Abell 19. It reminded me of Demi Moore. Next, I sought Abell 1. It was easy, just like a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out NGC 155. It looked like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located Abell 57. It somewhat resembled a cantilever bra. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed NGC 6388. It looked a bit like diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified IC 2798 in Ursa Minor. It took me back to the first time I saw nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I located Abell 3. It looked uncannily like cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook M 109 in Gemini. It appeared at low power like the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook M 97. It was better than nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I tried M 84 in Sagittarius. It compared favorably with dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I identified B 418. It was easy, just like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, I looked for and suspected B 174. It was like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I added to my logbook Abell 52. It was easy, just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I tracked down IC 226 in Scutum. It looked a bit like a swarm of bees. Then, I went for B 629 in Antlia. It gave the appearance of the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.

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 hunting with the Vice President.


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

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