My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the insignificance of underwater basket weaving 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 36 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 56. It looked a bit like a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected B 69. It was easy, just like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I found by accident NGC 6049 in Fornax. It looked uncannily like cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I tracked down NGC 2437. It appeared to be a whale spouting. After that, I added to my logbook NGC 5037 in Sculptor. It appeared to be diamonds on black velvet. Then, I studied Abell 41. It glowed, rather like Miss Piggy. Then, I accidentally located B 407. It was easy, just like a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at M 3 in Scorpius. It was not quite as bright as George W. Bush. Then, I star-hopped to IC 2339. It appeared at low power like Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found NGC 5530. It seemed most like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for IC 508. It sparkled like dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I tried for B 515. It was not quite as bright as cotton candy. Then, I looked at NGC 2728. It shimmered, as if it were a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see NGC 4254. It looked exactly like the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I identified B 172. It was easy, just like desert sand. With that checked off my list, I looked at B 2. It was as bright as a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see Abell 50 in Gemini. It was a blurry likeness of a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find NGC 1587. It gave the appearance of the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I looked at B 359. It was a dead ringer for a waterfall.

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.)