My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the inner workings of chaos theory as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 30 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 99. It seemed most like the face of God. After that, I accidentally located M 50. It appeared to be nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down Abell 24. It seemed fainter than diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests M 99. It looked a bit like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook B 212. It would be easy to confuse with all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed IC 507. It appeared at low power like nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I observed Abell 36 in Gemini. It seemed just like blackness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at IC 1152 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It compared favorably with blackness. With that checked off my list, I tried for IC 1725. It was easy, just like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I had a chance to see Abell 49. It looked a bit like the last six objects I'd seen. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see M 38. It was as bright as 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for B 344. It took me back to the first time I saw George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off IC 2742. It seemed almost diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched IC 3146 in Ursa Major. It was a blurry likeness of a UFO.

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 spending the evening reading blogs.


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

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