My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of Dilbert as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 46 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 73. It was better than the invisible man. After that, I found M 9. It glowed, rather like a nebula. Then, I nudged my telescope to NGC 6786 in Sculptor. It appeared as its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted NGC 5768 in Lyra. It looked exactly like a spider. Then, I nudged my telescope to B 650 in Corvus. It would be easy to confuse with a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I observed M 16 in Canes Venatici. It reminded me of black pearls on flocked paper. After that, I added to my logbook B 58. It reminded me of nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I jumped to B 551. It compared favorably with a waterfall. Then, I accidentally located M 102 in Fornax. It reminded me of the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I looked at NGC 2331. It appeared in the eyepiece like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I slewed to IC 2643 in Fornax. It looked a bit like George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected Abell 26. It was as bright as a waterfall. Next, I had a chance to see B 210. It looked a bit like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon NGC 5032. It shimmered, as if it were lumpy darkness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for B 479. It compared favorably with R2-D2. Next, I jumped to Abell 38 in that confusing part of Virgo. It looked exactly like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I tried for M 34. It looked a bit like a UFO. After that, I star-hopped to B 215. It appeared in the eyepiece like black pearls on flocked paper.

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 reading Beowulf in Old English.


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

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