My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of my life's work as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 10 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 49 in Scorpius. It appeared to be a swarm of bees. After that, I logged B 226 in Orion. It reminded me of black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook NGC 4258. It reminded me of a cantilever bra. Then, I found by accident NGC 883. It looked like a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected Abell 10 in Ophiuchus. It was a blurry likeness of the face of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found NGC 3148. It was even more difficult than an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I logged B 487. It was as bright as the invisible man. Next, I found by accident B 534. It looked like lumpy darkness. Then, I found M 7. It looked a bit like blackness. Then, I tracked down B 614. It compared favorably with all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I tried M 58 in Ursa Major. It seemed most like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I helped a beginner find NGC 3981. It appeared as ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find B 237. It shimmered, as if it were a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 497. It somewhat resembled cotton on velvet. Next, I added to my logbook IC 3456 in Hydra. It seemed fainter than cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted IC 3442 in the western sky. It appeared to be dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for B 524. It appeared at low power like a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried Abell 29 in Sagittarius. It sparkled like a nebula. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 25. It looked uncannily like nothing I'd ever seen before.

After a short break to cut some cheese, I hunted for NGC 352 in Corvus. It looked exactly like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed M 78. It was easy, just like 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 Segmentation fault (core dumped).


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

(Don't forget to hit reload.)