My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the insignificance of Plato's Republic 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 24 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 63. It was not quite as bright as diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I jumped to M 26. It reminded me of the invisible man.

After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I tried for M 83. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged Abell 85. It seemed just like a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to B 28. It seemed most like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to M 13. It would be easy to confuse with lumpy darkness.

After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I located M 98. It reminded me of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to B 127. It would be easy to confuse with the eye of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted NGC 532 in Serpens. It seemed most like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, I jumped to Abell 36. It was even more difficult than all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I jumped to NGC 2483. It was better than the pillars of creation. Next, I checked out Abell 50. It was a blurry likeness of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, I located M 33 in Perseus. It appeared to be an inflamed monkey butt. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched B 333. It was a blurry likeness of Santa Claus.

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 hunting with the Vice President.


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

(Don't forget to hit reload.)