My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of tight underwear as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 43 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 109 in Ophiuchus. It compared favorably with a nebula.

After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I sought Abell 19. It somewhat resembled an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I sought M 72. It appeared in the eyepiece like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I had a chance to see NGC 1070. It seemed most like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I tried Abell 97. It took me back to the first time I saw the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I logged Abell 76. It was as bright as cotton candy. Next, I sought NGC 293 in Canis Major. It was not quite as bright as Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out B 463 in Cygnus. It was a dead ringer for a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied M 62 in Lyra. It seemed fainter than a swarm of bees. Next, I checked off B 337. It was as bright as cotton candy. Next, I had a chance to see B 168. It was a dead ringer for the face of God.

After a short break to warm up in the car, I stumbled upon M 72 in Ophiuchus. It was a blurry likeness of Gollum. Next, I stumbled upon B 467 in Ursa Minor. It was a blurry likeness of cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see B 267. It gave the appearance of the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I found M 103. It appeared in the eyepiece like Gollum. Then, for a real challenge, I observed IC 1824. It would be easy to confuse with ripples of water.

After a short break to recite my mantra, I located B 400. It compared favorably with a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.

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) .

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