My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of television 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 28 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 18 in Antlia. It seemed almost Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted IC 579. It was better than cream being swirled into hot coffee.

After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I glimpsed IC 2494. It was even more difficult than ripples of water. After that, I sought M 80. It reminded me of the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find NGC 2207. It reminded me of black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for Abell 48. It appeared as all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I studied B 376 in Gemini. It looked uncannily like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located B 315. It was better than the eye of God. Next, I looked at B 522. It appeared at low power like Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried IC 699. It appeared at low power like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I helped a beginner find Abell 79. It seemed most like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band.

After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I tried M 60. It seemed just like George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I found Abell 79. It seemed almost a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I stumbled upon M 78 in Cygnus. It appeared to be a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I looked at IC 823 in Camelopardalis. It was not quite as bright as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I hunted IC 2629. It appeared in the eyepiece like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged NGC 5531. It looked a bit like R2-D2.

After a short break to have a smoke, I jumped to B 4. It seemed just like R2-D2.

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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