My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the morality of my 401K as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 45 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 39. It looked uncannily like Miss Piggy.

After a short break to check my email, I sketched IC 2287. It somewhat resembled all the other smudges I've ever looked at.

After a short break to drink a slurpie, I had a chance to see M 92. It was easy, just like diamonds on black velvet. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected Abell 97. It was as bright as desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I studied Abell 55. It looked like a swarm of bees. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected NGC 3518. It took me back to the first time I saw blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident M 40. It seemed just like cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook M 100. It reminded me of Miss Piggy. Next, I tried for NGC 2363. It looked exactly like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I logged NGC 4120. It looked uncannily like cotton candy. Next, I went for NGC 4091. It appeared as the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I slewed to IC 160. It was better than spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I tried B 282. It was even more difficult than Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident M 87. It was better than the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 90. It appeared at low power like ripples of water. After that, I checked off M 97. It was even more difficult than spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found Abell 55. It was as bright as whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I identified IC 657. It was even more difficult than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon Abell 5. It was a blurry likeness of a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I studied IC 3614. It looked uncannily like nothing I'd ever seen before.

After a short break to drink a slurpie, I sought B 123 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared in the eyepiece like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed NGC 2139. It looked a bit like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located M 94 in Antlia. It was like a little triangle.

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 strapped naked to an anthill.


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

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