My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 10 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 61. It looked uncannily like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I sought Abell 33. It seemed just like Santa Claus. Next, I tracked down Abell 74. It seemed most like the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see Abell 85 in Hydra. It was like an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I checked off B 247. It was a blurry likeness of the pillars of creation.

After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I located IC 786 in Fornax. It somewhat resembled a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched NGC 2771. It looked a bit like desert sand. Next, I tracked down NGC 1697. It appeared at low power like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I looked for and suspected IC 922. It took me back to the first time I saw an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I looked at NGC 5511. It somewhat resembled the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched B 44. It looked exactly like the pillars of creation. Next, I stumbled upon Abell 55 in Lynx. It was like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I looked for and suspected M 57 in Serpens. It seemed fainter than Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I stumbled upon M 19 in Scutum. It was not quite as bright as diamonds on light grey velvet.

After a short break to converse with an owl, I found by accident IC 2522 in Gemini. It was even more difficult than Alan Rickman. Next, I looked at Abell 54. It appeared to be R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I studied M 10. It appeared in the eyepiece like the invisible man. After that, I found by accident IC 3613. It would be easy to confuse with fleecy wool. Then, I had a chance to see NGC 5583 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It took me back to the first time I saw Santa Claus. Then, I hunted for M 65 in Scutum. It looked exactly like Smokey the Bear.

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 cleaning the bathroom.


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

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