My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the higher implications of tight underwear as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 0 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 36. It somewhat resembled fleecy wool. After that, I accidentally located IC 616. It seemed most like fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located IC 2310. It was like the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed IC 2007. It was a dead ringer for dancing elephants. Next, I found B 577. It reminded me of George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for M 13. It appeared at low power like a cantilever bra. Then, I sketched Abell 31. It was even more difficult than cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down B 480. It was like Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 74 in Lyra. It reminded me of a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to IC 2883 in the western sky. It compared favorably with the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I hunted IC 305. It looked like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I sought B 327. It looked like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I identified IC 2767. It appeared at low power like a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find IC 1810. It was better than an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I sketched NGC 4395 in Ursa Major. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied IC 3283 in Canis Major. It looked like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.

After a short break to walk around, I checked off IC 2571. It was easy, just like black pearls on flocked paper.

After a short break to listen to Mozart, I tried Abell 24. It took me back to the first time I saw cotton on velvet. Then, I star-hopped to B 107 in Scorpius. It reminded me of desert sand. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook IC 3457 in Gemini. It seemed most like a waterfall. Then, I added to my logbook IC 1990. It was like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed M 73 in Ophiuchus. It shimmered, as if it were Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I checked out M 66. It was as bright as a nebula. Next, I sought Abell 6. It looked exactly like Gollum.

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 reading Beowulf in Old English.


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

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