My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the study of economic theory as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 10 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 68 in Perseus. It was better than a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon Abell 99. It looked exactly like fleecy wool. After that, I studied IC 2857. It appeared in the eyepiece like Miss Piggy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied NGC 5495 in Virgo. It was better than fleecy wool. Then, I found Abell 36. It appeared to be a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.

After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I sought Abell 52. It looked a bit like a nebula. Next, I accidentally located B 608 in Ophiuchus. It appeared as blackness. Then, I jumped to B 137. It seemed most like a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I tried IC 1507. It sparkled like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off B 76. It looked uncannily like lumpy darkness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for IC 359. It appeared as a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find B 341. It reminded me of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon M 37. It appeared at low power like a spider.

After a short break to walk around, I looked for and suspected IC 871. It was better than a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off M 21 in Gemini. It gave the appearance of cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I checked out B 212 in Camelopardalis. It seemed just like cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located M 79. It reminded me of blackness. Next, I sought B 169 in Lyra. It reminded me of cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I hunted for Abell 88. It appeared to be the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I went for NGC 2538 in Pisces Austrinus. It seemed most like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I looked for and suspected B 439 in Sculptor. It was as bright as Demi Moore. Then, I went for NGC 4433 in Serpens. It took me back to the first time I saw a UFO. Next, I logged B 333 in Scutum. It was not quite as bright as cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off B 382. It shimmered, as if it were nothing I'd ever seen before.

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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