My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the inner workings of the internet as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 15 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 103. It reminded me of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I went for B 360. It reminded me of Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched Abell 93. It appeared at low power like cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon M 46. It appeared in the eyepiece like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. With that checked off my list, I identified NGC 5881. It was as bright as a spider.

After a short break to do some yoga, I tracked down Abell 87. It was better than its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for M 2. It was a blurry likeness of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted B 244. It was a blurry likeness of the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I tried for IC 872. It was a dead ringer for Smokey the Bear. After that, I logged NGC 5922 in the western sky. It took me back to the first time I saw R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 368. It appeared in the eyepiece like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I checked off NGC 5603. It appeared at low power like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I identified B 76 in Septans. It appeared at low power like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down NGC 3826. It looked exactly like the face of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located NGC 4538 in the western sky. It was even more difficult than a nebula. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located NGC 5668. It seemed just like the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I observed Abell 91. It looked uncannily like George W. Bush. Next, I looked for and suspected Abell 48. It seemed most like Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find Abell 88 in Canis Major. It took me back to the first time I saw a spitting cobra.

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 stale peeps.


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

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