My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 55 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 65. It looked like a whale spouting.

After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I slewed to M 56. It took me back to the first time I saw whipped cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought B 508. It appeared as the eye of God. Next, I checked out Abell 78. It shimmered, as if it were cotton candy. After that, I accidentally located Abell 71. It seemed almost a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests M 89. It looked a bit like diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought M 6 in Antlia. It seemed fainter than two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to IC 1487. It was easy, just like a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought B 122 in Cygnus. It seemed most like a nebula. With that checked off my list, I tried M 25. It was as bright as nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I found M 23 in Cygnus. It was as bright as Santa Claus. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed B 501 in Septans. It was as bright as ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I found B 254. It seemed most like Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down NGC 349 in Triangulum. It was like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I jumped to NGC 5904 in Canis Major. It appeared to be diamonds on black velvet. After that, I jumped to IC 1968. It looked uncannily like the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 1. It was like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I sought M 30 in Canis Major. It was better than a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find NGC 6608 in Scorpius. It would be easy to confuse with spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I accidentally located Abell 92. It seemed just like lumpy darkness. Next, I glimpsed Abell 96. It was a blurry likeness of a glimmer of the Big Bang.

After a short break to walk around, I slewed to Abell 58. It was better than the pillars of creation.

After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I slewed to B 306. It looked a bit like two scoops of spumoni ice cream.

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 reading Beowulf in Old English.


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

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