My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of TAC 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 54 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 62. It seemed just like the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests NGC 5951 in Corvus. It was better than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed IC 578. It shimmered, as if it were the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for NGC 6311. It reminded me of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I star-hopped to IC 2924. It seemed just like a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged B 259 in Ursa Minor. It compared favorably with Alan Rickman. Then, I found B 361. It was a dead ringer for a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see B 566. It was not quite as bright as R2-D2. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see Abell 75 in Scorpius. It looked uncannily like Miss Piggy.

After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I glimpsed Abell 93. It appeared to be an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I jumped to NGC 1060. It gave the appearance of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I helped a beginner find B 604. It took me back to the first time I saw smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off B 212. It sparkled like blackness.

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) .

(Don't forget to hit reload.)