My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 50 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 59 in Corvus. It took me back to the first time I saw Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I found B 621. It looked exactly like a far-away cloud. After that, I looked at Abell 75. It compared favorably with spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I found B 66. It appeared in the eyepiece like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought NGC 6997. It was a blurry likeness of cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook IC 3801 in Scorpius. It seemed almost diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to NGC 4864 in Canis Major. It appeared in the eyepiece like diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought M 77. It seemed most like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to IC 290 in Fornax. It looked uncannily like whipped cream. Next, I added to my logbook NGC 4193. It was even more difficult than Dubya. Then, I stumbled upon IC 3229 in Scutum. It would be easy to confuse with Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I tried for B 96 in Ophiuchus. It reminded me of the clouds I'd seen earlier.

After a short break to have a smoke, I star-hopped to M 34 in Hydra. It shimmered, as if it were a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at M 89 in Camelopardalis. It seemed just like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I found IC 102. It was even more difficult than whispy tendrils of nebulosity.

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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