My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the inner workings of television 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 35 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 23. It appeared as cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, I showed some guests Abell 95. It seemed most like the eye of God. Then, I hunted B 306. It looked exactly like Gollum.

After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I identified Abell 31. It glowed, rather like Smokey the Bear. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for B 639. It would be easy to confuse with whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I identified NGC 2741. It was as bright as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I tried Abell 31. It glowed, rather like a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to IC 3193. It appeared as a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for IC 2650. It was like Santa Claus. After that, I went for IC 2014. It was better than Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I hunted for IC 1030. It glowed, rather like R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted Abell 75. It reminded me of Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found B 630. It appeared at low power like nothing I'd ever seen before.

After a short break to chat, I jumped to B 351. It shimmered, as if it were cotton candy.

After a short break to drink a slurpie, I sought M 34 in Triangulum. It appeared in the eyepiece like a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed IC 463. It shimmered, as if it were an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.

After a short break to chat, I sought B 514. It was better than cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I observed Abell 84 in Orion. It was even more difficult than Alan Rickman. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident B 214. It seemed fainter than Dubya. Next, I tried IC 3527. It seemed most like cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I checked off B 61 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was like Alan Rickman. Next, I sought NGC 1827 in Pisces Austrinus. It reminded me of cotton candy.

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 fetid Dingo's kidneys.


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

(Don't forget to hit reload.)