My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the current state of the energy crisis as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 13 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 37. It looked exactly like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.

After a short break to have a smoke, I showed some guests M 50. It appeared as an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I logged Abell 93 in Sagittarius. It seemed fainter than a nebula. After that, I nudged my telescope to Abell 41. It was as bright as an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I checked out Abell 52. It appeared to be a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed IC 3527 in Hydra. It was not quite as bright as a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found M 23. It sparkled like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to Abell 34. It was like Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I observed Abell 72 in Ophiuchus. It looked a bit like a waterfall. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 344 in Ursa Major. It looked a bit like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I found Abell 70 in Scutum. It shimmered, as if it were that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I jumped to IC 139. It shimmered, as if it were all the other smudges I've ever looked at.

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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.


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

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