My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of the human spirit as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 52 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 39 in Triangulum. It would be easy to confuse with a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I went for IC 1843. It would be easy to confuse with Dubya. With that checked off my list, I found by accident M 21. It gave the appearance of a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to NGC 6645. It appeared as smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I had a chance to see NGC 126 in Hydra. It took me back to the first time I saw a swarm of bees. Next, I star-hopped to Abell 96. It compared favorably with an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I hunted IC 2763. It appeared in the eyepiece like diamonds on black velvet.

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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