My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the morality of Dilbert as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. 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 42. It would be easy to confuse with a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, I nudged my telescope to M 77 in Lynx. It sparkled like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for B 346. It appeared at low power like Smokey the Bear. Then, I had a chance to see IC 1847 in Ursa Major. It gave the appearance of Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I identified NGC 5526. It was a blurry likeness of whipped cream. Then, I found Abell 63. It compared favorably with all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, I star-hopped to Abell 83. It was as bright as a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon IC 967. It was like one of Martha Stewart's doilies.

After a short break to cut some cheese, I tracked down M 67. It looked a bit like George W. Bush. Next, I star-hopped to NGC 4117. It would be easy to confuse with one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, I tried M 12. It looked like fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I hunted for M 56 in Hydra. It was even more difficult than whipped cream.

After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I tracked down M 51. It appeared as spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I glimpsed NGC 4037. It shimmered, as if it were a nebula. Next, I hunted IC 2525. It reminded me of cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied IC 1063. It took me back to the first time I saw black pearls on flocked paper.

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 stacking 400 Mars images by hand.


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

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