My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of AP Refractors as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 59 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 33. It was better than the face of God.

After a short break to have a smoke, I showed some guests B 226. It looked a bit like George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to Abell 97 in Virgo. It seemed just like Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to NGC 5112. It seemed most like Santa Claus. After that, I looked at IC 27 in Cygnus. It was a dead ringer for whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 6011 in Hydra. It was a blurry likeness of a whale spouting. Then, I found Abell 36 in Scorpius. It gave the appearance of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for B 288 in Ophiuchus. It reminded me of cotton candy.

After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I jumped to M 95 in Ursa Major. It took me back to the first time I saw the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I had a chance to see IC 3990. It somewhat resembled Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for IC 1952. It sparkled like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed IC 1066 in Canis Major. It appeared to be whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon NGC 4128 in Ursa Minor. It appeared at low power like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out M 2 in the western sky. It seemed fainter than its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected IC 2060. It appeared at low power like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I checked off Abell 47. It appeared in the eyepiece like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for NGC 641. It reminded me of 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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.


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

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