My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the deep impact of TAC as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. 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 24. It seemed most like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched NGC 4756 in Fornax. It was a blurry likeness of a cantilever bra. Then, I observed M 19. It seemed almost a whale spouting. Next, I sketched B 284. It seemed just like George W. Bush. Then, I tried for B 235. It was like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band.

After a short break to walk around, I helped a beginner find Abell 48. It appeared in the eyepiece like George W. Bush. After that, I tried NGC 3482 in Sagittarius. It somewhat resembled the invisible man. Next, I found B 337 in Corvus. It gave the appearance of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected NGC 4656 in Septans. It would be easy to confuse with all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident NGC 2884. It was easy, just like the last six objects I'd seen. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down NGC 1385. It was a blurry likeness of nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I logged NGC 636 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was easy, just like blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off B 50. It seemed fainter than yet another globular. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook Abell 89. It shimmered, as if it were the pillars of creation. After that, I star-hopped to M 91. It shimmered, as if it were cotton on velvet. After that, I star-hopped to IC 3877 in Corvus. It was like nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I sketched IC 1506. It was like the invisible man. Then, I looked for and suspected NGC 3373. It was as bright as the pillars of creation. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at B 470. It compared favorably with all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I accidentally located NGC 666. It sparkled like Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged NGC 4179 in Draco. It seemed most like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I looked for and suspected IC 1445. It reminded me of the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.

After a short break to empty my output buffers, I slewed to Abell 55. It sparkled like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.

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 internet sex.


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

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