My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of tight underwear as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 55 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 25. It appeared at low power like a UFO. After that, I tried for B 81. It was easy, just like desert sand.

After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I glimpsed Abell 8. It was not quite as bright as the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 1. It was even more difficult than a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I helped a beginner find B 603. It seemed almost a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to NGC 5884. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched Abell 92. It was easy, just like dandruff on black satin pajamas. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for B 636. It would be easy to confuse with yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed M 3. It compared favorably with the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried Abell 90. It was as bright as cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to IC 2159. It was better than two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to IC 1681. It looked like Smokey the Bear.

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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