My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the deep impact of my life's work as I contemplated the night's aurora display. 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 105 in Triangulum. It sparkled like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I located IC 1127. It was even more difficult than diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to B 87. It appeared to be all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, I sketched B 254. It was a blurry likeness of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off IC 2059. It looked uncannily like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at NGC 4292. It appeared to be Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at IC 2017 in the western sky. It looked uncannily like diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I observed M 56. It was a blurry likeness of the face of God. With that checked off my list, I hunted for IC 2303. It was a dead ringer for cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident B 197. It appeared in the eyepiece like a glimmer of the Big Bang.

After a short break to chat, I studied NGC 748. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed M 109. It looked uncannily like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I studied NGC 5717 in Lyra. It seemed just like nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see B 433. It was even more difficult than the eternal nothingness of being. Then, I accidentally located B 47 in Lyra. It appeared to be the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located IC 2338. It was even more difficult than cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I stumbled upon IC 2688. It took me back to the first time I saw a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see NGC 6535. It sparkled like cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I sought IC 191. It gave the appearance of a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I looked at B 282. It seemed just like Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off Abell 63. It looked exactly like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I went for NGC 6375 in Sculptor. It looked like a spitting cobra. Next, I showed some guests M 86. It appeared in the eyepiece like a little triangle.

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 spending the evening reading blogs.


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

(Don't forget to hit reload.)