My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the deep impact of television 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 10 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 97. It looked like the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to Abell 41. It appeared at low power like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to B 365. It shimmered, as if it were lumpy darkness. After that, I nudged my telescope to B 434. It appeared at low power like Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident M 96 in Corvus. It was even more difficult than the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted B 394. It was a dead ringer for Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 23. It would be easy to confuse with Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located NGC 33. It reminded me 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 went for IC 565. It appeared at low power like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, I looked for and suspected M 100. It seemed almost ripples of water.

After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I jumped to Abell 12 in Lynx. It was a blurry likeness of dancing elephants. Next, I found by accident B 13. It reminded me of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed Abell 95. It was better than a UFO. With that checked off my list, I sketched Abell 37. It was easy, just like a whale spouting. Next, I had a chance to see B 278. It shimmered, as if it were a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon B 302. It looked uncannily like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down IC 153. It looked like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I went for M 10. It was a blurry likeness of the face of God.

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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