My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the inner workings of Doonsbury 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 48 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 47. It seemed fainter than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I tracked down B 616. It glowed, rather like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located B 49. It seemed most like blackness. With that checked off my list, I slewed to Abell 11 in Fornax. It looked exactly like cotton on velvet. Next, I located M 54. It seemed just like George W. Bush. Next, I glimpsed B 480. It would be easy to confuse with Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found M 107. It took me back to the first time I saw nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I observed IC 1656. It was a blurry likeness of Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located IC 3105. It looked a bit like a far-away cloud. Next, I observed NGC 2274. It reminded me of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I found IC 1135. It was a dead ringer for an inflamed monkey butt. After that, I stumbled upon M 85. It compared favorably with its Hubble photograph. After that, I hunted IC 2405. It was easy, just like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off M 75. It looked exactly like cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out B 415. It seemed almost Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 4586. It was better than the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to NGC 6267. It was even more difficult than an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon M 42. It was not quite as bright as the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I added to my logbook IC 1224. It shimmered, as if it were black pearls on flocked paper.

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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.


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

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