My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of the universe 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 34 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 23. It took me back to the first time I saw a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for M 45. It was a dead ringer for two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I identified M 50 in the western sky. It looked like fleecy wool. After that, I accidentally located M 41 in Pisces Austrinus. It somewhat resembled a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon M 109. It appeared to be a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident Abell 21. It appeared as a whale spouting. After that, I nudged my telescope to B 488. It was like desert sand.

After a short break to chat, I hunted for M 19. It looked exactly like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, I went for M 39. It appeared at low power like dancing elephants. After that, I had a chance to see Abell 24. It looked uncannily like a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied IC 269. It seemed fainter than Miss Piggy. Next, I glimpsed NGC 5542 in Ursa Minor. It was like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I looked for and suspected M 36. It took me back to the first time I saw Gollum. With that checked off my list, I found Abell 69. It seemed most like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.

After a short break to converse with an owl, I sketched M 102 in Canis Major. It shimmered, as if it were smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, I sketched NGC 6126. It compared favorably with diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to B 619. It shimmered, as if it were cream being swirled into hot coffee.

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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