My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of economic theory 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 59 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 41. It compared favorably with an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to Abell 88 in Sculptor. It reminded me of cotton on velvet. Then, I accidentally located M 97 in Virgo. It seemed most like whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I tried B 374. It took me back to the first time I saw the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off IC 2044. It somewhat resembled a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I located Abell 79. It was a blurry likeness of a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried M 4. It looked uncannily like a spitting cobra. Next, I looked at IC 2034. It was a blurry likeness of yet another globular. With that checked off my list, I checked off M 103. It appeared as a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I checked off Abell 18 in Lynx. It appeared as ripples of water. After that, I looked for and suspected B 487. It was even more difficult than Dubya. Then, I tried B 543. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.

After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I looked at Abell 11. It reminded me of cotton candy. After that, I looked for and suspected M 67. It somewhat resembled the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I found Abell 89. It seemed most like a spider.

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 spending the evening reading blogs.


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

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