My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of TAC 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 59 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 102 in Septans. It looked uncannily like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected IC 974. It was even more difficult than whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed B 123. It looked uncannily like one of Martha Stewart's doilies.

After a short break to warm up in the car, I jumped to IC 438. It sparkled like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I sought NGC 582. It was not quite as bright as the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 515. It seemed most like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook IC 3186 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was easy, just like diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried IC 436. It reminded me of whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected IC 3139. It looked exactly like whipped cream. Then, I star-hopped to B 214. It appeared as spent coals, faintly glowing.

After a short break to cut some cheese, I glimpsed M 10 in Virgo. It seemed most like cotton candy.

After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I studied NGC 5579. It seemed fainter than a smoke ring. After that, I jumped to IC 2792 in Lepus. It reminded me of cotton candy. After that, I showed some guests NGC 6813. It reminded me of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I tried for B 606 in Lepus. It was a blurry likeness of desert sand. Then, I hunted for B 567. It looked uncannily like whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I tried NGC 6437. It took me back to the first time I saw a swarm of bees. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for B 544. It seemed just like the face of God. With that checked off my list, I sought M 50 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It seemed most like Dubya. After that, I looked at IC 3521. It was even more difficult than the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located M 58 in Canes Venatici. It appeared as a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down M 86. It appeared at low power like an inflamed monkey butt.

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 being strapped naked to an anthill.


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

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