My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the current state of astrology as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 35 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 100. It looked uncannily like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.

After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I checked off Abell 19. It reminded me of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.

After a short break to drink a slurpie, I helped a beginner find M 48. It was better than Smokey the Bear. After that, I looked at M 38. It appeared in the eyepiece like the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon B 408 in the western sky. It gave the appearance of a smoke ring. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located NGC 6940. It looked exactly like a spider. After that, I studied B 594. It reminded me of the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I sought Abell 81. It glowed, rather like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I slewed to M 54. It was not quite as bright as a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, I found M 108. It looked exactly like the invisible man. After that, I looked for and suspected M 45. It was better than a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see NGC 3814. It was easy, just like all the other smudges I've ever looked at.

After a short break to recite my mantra, I helped a beginner find IC 2242 in Canes Venatici. It glowed, rather like dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I hunted for IC 548. It appeared to be nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests B 523 in Camelopardalis. It shimmered, as if it were Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I studied IC 3842. It seemed fainter than a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I hunted B 31. It would be easy to confuse with whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I had a chance to see Abell 79. It was a blurry likeness of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, I sketched IC 3626. It appeared at low power like the invisible man. Next, I located M 70 in Virgo. It reminded me of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band.

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 hunting with the Vice President.


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

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