My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Norse mythology 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 32 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 13. It looked uncannily like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I jumped to Abell 34 in Scorpius. It was easy, just like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I hunted for NGC 4068. It was like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I hunted NGC 6086 in Corvus. It was not quite as bright as a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought IC 2189. It appeared as one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests M 83. It glowed, rather like the pillars of creation.

After a short break to empty my output buffers, I slewed to NGC 2124. It reminded me of George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off NGC 3569. It was as bright as the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for M 1. It glowed, rather like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I star-hopped to IC 2309 in Pisces Austrinus. It was a dead ringer for 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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.


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

(Don't forget to hit reload.)