My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the study of TAC as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 28 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 23. It seemed almost fleecy wool. Next, I checked off IC 1517 in Cygnus. It looked uncannily like the invisible man. After that, I accidentally located B 380. It was a dead ringer for blackness.

After a short break to have a smoke, I tried NGC 6095. It reminded me of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I jumped to NGC 3305. It seemed fainter than Demi Moore. Next, I tried for Abell 1. It appeared at low power like yet another globular. Then, for a real challenge, I located B 8. It was a blurry likeness of a waterfall. Then, I star-hopped to B 189. It appeared as cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried M 30 in Sculptor. It somewhat resembled the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied Abell 21 in Lynx. It was like its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see IC 1826. It reminded me of all the other smudges I've ever looked at.

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 observing reports.


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

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