My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the inner workings of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 7 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 33. It would be easy to confuse with a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I tried for Abell 88 in Camelopardalis. It compared favorably with cotton candy. After that, I tracked down Abell 10. It seemed most like Demi Moore. Then, I identified IC 3361. It looked uncannily like a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook NGC 6340. It was better than a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to M 56. It appeared at low power like a whale spouting.

After a short break to empty my output buffers, I jumped to Abell 91. It seemed most like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 52. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests B 213 in Fornax. It looked uncannily like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident M 108 in Sculptor. It shimmered, as if it were the eye of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied IC 1986. It reminded me of the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed B 642. It was better than black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I added to my logbook B 370. It was easy, just like cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I jumped to M 38. It seemed most like diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see Abell 60. It would be easy to confuse with the eye of God. Then, I logged M 3 in Serpens. It compared favorably with an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.

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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