My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the study of Dilbert as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. 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 62. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. After that, I tracked down NGC 3882 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared to be a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I located Abell 3. It glowed, rather like blackness.

After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I checked off B 396. It seemed most like cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 271 in Lynx. It reminded me of Gollum.

After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I identified IC 2785. It looked uncannily like Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located M 73 in Canes Venatici. It shimmered, as if it were a waterfall. Next, I logged IC 2725. It seemed just like Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I slewed to IC 2451. It seemed just like Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see M 68. It seemed fainter than the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I identified IC 3311 in Hydra. It reminded me of a glimmer of the Big Bang.

After a short break to do some yoga, I nudged my telescope to Abell 61. It was a blurry likeness of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.

After a short break to check my email, I slewed to B 390 in Canis Major. It appeared in the eyepiece like Miss Piggy. Next, I looked at IC 573 in Lynx. It seemed almost the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off IC 2132. It was a dead ringer for cotton candy.

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 ebola.


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

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