My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the popularity of tight underwear 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 16 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 32. It looked a bit like desert sand. Next, I checked off NGC 5358. It was not quite as bright as a smoke ring. Next, I sought NGC 2012. It seemed fainter than a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon Abell 99 in the western sky. It appeared as cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, I went for Abell 77. It was better than spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located B 158. It was a dead ringer for dancing elephants. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to B 454 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It appeared to be cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I slewed to Abell 65. It appeared in the eyepiece like spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I stumbled upon Abell 64 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was even more difficult than the last six objects I'd seen. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for NGC 6385. It seemed just like cotton candy. Next, I nudged my telescope to M 108. It looked exactly like Demi Moore. Then, I sketched M 37. It glowed, rather like a cantilever bra. Then, I logged NGC 2638. It appeared in the eyepiece like Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I looked at M 93. It looked a bit like desert sand. Next, I jumped to IC 683. It sparkled like its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched IC 2395. It looked exactly like blackness. After that, I checked off M 73. It glowed, rather like the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I identified B 191. It somewhat resembled a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I checked out IC 1798. It sparkled like black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 393 in Camelopardalis. It gave the appearance of ripples of water.

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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