My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the higher implications of television as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 15 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 31. It appeared as Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook B 114 in Pisces Austrinus. It was easy, just like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I glimpsed Abell 84 in Septans. It looked exactly like cotton candy. Then, I found NGC 2292 in Scutum. It seemed almost a far-away cloud. Next, I found by accident M 94 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It would be easy to confuse with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).

After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I observed NGC 2304. It took me back to the first time I saw diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook M 88. It appeared at low power like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located Abell 39 in Ursa Minor. It seemed most like black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I located Abell 64. It reminded me of cotton on velvet. Then, I found B 597. It somewhat resembled cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to IC 3380 in Sagittarius. It took me back to the first time I saw a little triangle. Next, I looked for and suspected Abell 84. It somewhat resembled Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident M 95. It looked a bit like diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to NGC 1707. It gave the appearance of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to B 232. It was easy, just like fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged M 67. It looked uncannily like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I found by accident M 74. It shimmered, as if it were ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I hunted for B 484 in Sculptor. It took me back to the first time I saw a whale spouting. Then, I went for NGC 4671. It seemed almost the invisible man. Next, I found B 575. It seemed just like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found IC 1406 in Pisces Austrinus. It gave the appearance of Demi Moore.

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 getting shot in the face by Dick Cheney.


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

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