My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of cosmology 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 12 in Perseus. It would be easy to confuse with the invisible man. After that, I identified Abell 15. It was even more difficult than its Hubble photograph.

After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I looked for and suspected NGC 1959. It was a dead ringer for its Hubble photograph. After that, I showed some guests B 596. It seemed just like the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected B 147 in Triangulum. It shimmered, as if it were an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried M 46. It looked like the eye of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to IC 2282. It took me back to the first time I saw its Hubble photograph. Next, I had a chance to see M 7 in Sagittarius. It somewhat resembled ripples of water. Next, I had a chance to see Abell 82. It seemed just like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see M 81 in Ursa Major. It appeared as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at M 9 in Lynx. It was easy, just like a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed B 528. It appeared at low power like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.

After a short break to do some yoga, I stumbled upon IC 2848 in Lepus. It was even more difficult than the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected B 383. It was a dead ringer for yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought NGC 2756. It seemed just like spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I showed some guests NGC 33. It was easy, just like Miss Piggy. Next, I tried IC 1247. It looked uncannily like a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see NGC 2767. It compared favorably with a waterfall.

After a short break to do some yoga, I sketched M 37 in Septans. It was as bright as a spitting cobra. Then, I found by accident M 98. It looked exactly like the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I located B 400 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It appeared as a cantilever bra. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down B 199 in Serpens. It would be easy to confuse with the pillars of creation. Next, I checked out Abell 70. It seemed just like a spider. Then, I found by accident IC 503. It looked like Miss Piggy.

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) .

(Don't forget to hit reload.)