My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of underwater basket weaving as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 1 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 60. It gave the appearance of the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I tracked down B 558. It glowed, rather like diamonds on black velvet.

After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I star-hopped to IC 825. It was not quite as bright as a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched Abell 22. It sparkled like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I added to my logbook M 71. It appeared at low power like Miss Piggy. Then, I logged M 20. It was easy, just like the invisible man. Then, I jumped to IC 2046. It appeared at low power like a nebula.

After a short break to converse with an owl, I checked out IC 2427. It appeared in the eyepiece like Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 1636 in Ophiuchus. It glowed, rather like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off IC 1892. It reminded me of cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident IC 203. It looked a bit like Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I studied B 219. It appeared in the eyepiece like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted NGC 2479 in Lyra. It looked uncannily like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I logged M 47 in Scorpius. It was like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I sought IC 3909. It seemed most like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for IC 533 in Virgo. It was a dead ringer for a UFO. Then, I nudged my telescope to Abell 85. It was a blurry likeness of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I located NGC 3545. It seemed almost the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for IC 2729. It somewhat resembled all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to Abell 80. It was a dead ringer for that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to Abell 27 in Ursa Minor. It was even more difficult than the clouds I'd seen earlier.

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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