My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the morality of AP Refractors 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 42 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 86 in Camelopardalis. It was a dead ringer for nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon IC 3089. It was like spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for NGC 6135. It was a dead ringer for Smokey the Bear. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to NGC 6670 in Pisces Austrinus. It was not quite as bright as a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located NGC 3197. It compared favorably with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I accidentally located Abell 67. It seemed almost the invisible man.

After a short break to warm up in the car, I accidentally located B 278. It sparkled like Alan Rickman. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off Abell 40. It seemed just like whispy tendrils of nebulosity.

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 ravaged by savage wild wombats.


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

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