My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Norse mythology as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 13 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 5 in Virgo. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.

After a short break to walk around, I tried Abell 98 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared at low power like a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I found M 11 in Corvus. It sparkled like the pillars of creation. Next, I accidentally located IC 2995. It seemed fainter than the pillars of creation. Next, I checked off B 375. It was better than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I sought B 87. It looked a bit like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted Abell 90. It took me back to the first time I saw ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out IC 3975. It looked exactly like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for IC 2410 in Ursa Major. It looked a bit like diamonds on black velvet.

After a short break to warm up in the car, I hunted NGC 234. It appeared to be an inflamed monkey butt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located B 84 in Orion. It was like the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I logged IC 1302 in Lepus. It looked uncannily like whipped cream. Next, I accidentally located NGC 3195. It would be easy to confuse with the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought M 19 in Pisces Austrinus. It looked uncannily like an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I tracked down M 102. It gave the appearance of an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I stumbled upon Abell 38 in Antlia. It appeared as a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed Abell 73. It was even more difficult than George W. Bush. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to NGC 6846 in Ursa Minor. It was like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to NGC 3461 in Cygnus. It seemed almost lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located M 94. It glowed, rather like an inflamed monkey butt. After that, I accidentally located Abell 37. It looked a bit like cotton on velvet.

After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I helped a beginner find B 613. It was as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I went for M 36 in Sculptor. It appeared as all the other smudges I've ever looked at.

After a short break to warm up in the car, I showed some guests Abell 44. It looked a bit like 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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