My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the study of Norse mythology as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 48 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 30. It was better than R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I hunted NGC 6097 in Scorpius. It would be easy to confuse with yet another globular. Then, I located NGC 4437 in Septans. It reminded me of R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched B 101. It was a blurry likeness of its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests IC 834. It was even more difficult than spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I jumped to B 32 in Perseus. It shimmered, as if it were a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I tracked down B 17 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was a blurry likeness of whipped cream. After that, I accidentally located NGC 3368. It appeared to be whipped cream. Next, I went for Abell 21. It was a blurry likeness of a nebula. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected B 508 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared in the eyepiece like blackness. Then, I observed B 543 in Canis Major. It was a dead ringer for diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident Abell 67. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find Abell 73. It reminded me of cotton on velvet.

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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.


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

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