My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the current implications of television 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 17 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 14 in Cygnus. It appeared in the eyepiece like a whale spouting. Next, I tried NGC 6370. It reminded me of Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted IC 407. It seemed fainter than a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I sketched B 77. It seemed fainter than diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I checked out IC 228. It glowed, rather like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I identified NGC 74 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It seemed most like the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I looked at B 505. It reminded me of the face of God. After that, I slewed to M 105. It looked like blackness. With that checked off my list, I slewed to Abell 18. It was a blurry likeness of cotton on velvet. Next, I hunted NGC 6279. It was as bright as one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, I studied NGC 6119 in Corvus. It was easy, just like the face of God.

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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