My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the insignificance of world hunger as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 41 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 26. It was better than a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 1 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared as the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I sought Abell 1 in Scorpius. It was like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out Abell 58 in Canes Venatici. It seemed fainter than desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied IC 581. It looked like a waterfall. Then, I sketched Abell 90. It reminded me of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, I sought NGC 4834. It seemed most like Demi Moore. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon NGC 3101. It took me back to the first time I saw a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off IC 141. It sparkled like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted M 95. It compared favorably with the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down B 54. It was not quite as bright as Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified Abell 26. It looked exactly like spent coals, faintly glowing.

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 Beowulf in Old English.


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

(Don't forget to hit reload.)