My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of world hunger 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 1 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 24 in Perseus. It was a blurry likeness of lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched B 533. It was better than Santa Claus.

After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I accidentally located IC 3576 in Serpens. It was not quite as bright as a UFO. Then, I studied M 34 in Ursa Major. It was even more difficult than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I tried for M 82. It appeared in the eyepiece like the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied NGC 1441. It glowed, rather like diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, I hunted NGC 944 in the western sky. It seemed fainter than cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I found Abell 70 in Canis Major. It reminded me of yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed IC 834. It appeared as lumpy darkness.

After a short break to empty my output buffers, I observed IC 101 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared as its Hubble photograph.

After a short break to warm up in the car, I slewed to IC 2286. It was a dead ringer for whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located NGC 5328. It was a dead ringer for a whale spouting. Next, I stumbled upon IC 647. It looked a bit like a smoke ring. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to M 7. It looked a bit like fleecy wool.

After a short break to chat, I glimpsed M 77 in Lyra. It was not quite as bright as a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I found Abell 5 in Ophiuchus. It was like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified IC 1392. It was easy, just like a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I tracked down IC 1207 in Cygnus. It seemed almost a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected M 22 in Pisces Austrinus. It looked exactly like desert sand.

After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I tracked down B 615 in Canis Major. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. After that, I stumbled upon IC 1240 in Scutum. It seemed fainter than desert sand.

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 fetid Dingo's kidneys.


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

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