My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the inner workings of chaos theory as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 29 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 31. It was a blurry likeness of Gollum. After that, I found by accident Abell 35 in Lynx. It sparkled like black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I looked at Abell 61. It gave the appearance of the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched NGC 5286. It looked like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to M 45. It compared favorably with the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I studied NGC 2774 in Virgo. It was like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted B 191 in Hydra. It glowed, rather like a waterfall. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off NGC 4166. It was as bright as diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed IC 3411 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared in the eyepiece like Demi Moore. Then, I hunted IC 2557. It was as bright as a spitting cobra.

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 ebola.


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

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