My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the higher implications of Doonsbury as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 29 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 92. It was easy, just like Santa Claus. Next, I added to my logbook M 3. It appeared in the eyepiece like Miss Piggy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found IC 593. It somewhat resembled diamonds on black velvet. Then, I had a chance to see M 96 in Ophiuchus. It was easy, just like fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located B 536. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched M 108 in Camelopardalis. It was better than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I looked at B 447. It looked exactly like George W. Bush. After that, I glimpsed B 424. It shimmered, as if it were an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook B 241. It appeared as cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I found IC 3958 in the western sky. It was easy, just like a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down IC 927. It shimmered, as if it were a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I sought IC 2852. It was not quite as bright as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After that, I stumbled upon M 11 in Ursa Minor. It sparkled like cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests B 430. It seemed most like diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off B 437 in Virgo. It was like a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down B 607 in that confusing part of Virgo. It seemed almost Demi Moore. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified IC 2271. It appeared to be R2-D2. Then, I checked out NGC 605. It sparkled like Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I sought Abell 24. It sparkled like Gollum. Then, I sketched IC 2186. It was easy, just like the eye of God. Next, I sought NGC 824. It appeared at low power like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I went for B 188. It appeared at low power like Dubya. After that, I tried IC 2725 in Ursa Major. It glowed, rather like 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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