My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the higher implications of my life's work as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 29 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 37 in Scutum. It was a dead ringer for a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I studied IC 1903 in Virgo. It seemed fainter than Alan Rickman. After that, I jumped to NGC 484. It looked a bit like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, I hunted B 332 in Corvus. It was better than ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I went for M 20 in Corvus. It somewhat resembled George W. Bush. Next, I went for NGC 5522 in Ursa Major. It was as bright as a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see B 67. It reminded me of Alan Rickman.

After a short break to warm up in the car, I helped a beginner find NGC 914. It reminded me of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).

After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I tracked down Abell 44 in Serpens. It shimmered, as if it were nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I added to my logbook IC 2047 in Triangulum. It reminded me of the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see IC 530. It looked uncannily like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I hunted for B 363 in Triangulum. It somewhat resembled Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find NGC 6205 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It looked uncannily like a spider. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located Abell 89. It looked exactly like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I studied NGC 3491. It sparkled like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I identified IC 171 in Camelopardalis. It sparkled like fleecy wool. After that, I star-hopped to B 432. It was better than a spitting cobra. Then, I observed NGC 5404. It appeared at low power like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I tried IC 1458 in Perseus. It sparkled like whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I tried M 17 in Sculptor. It looked uncannily like Smokey the Bear. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for M 46. It was better than dandruff on black satin pajamas.

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 cleaning the bathroom.


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

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