My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 10 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 22. It seemed most like the eternal nothingness of being. Then, I looked for and suspected IC 3447. It shimmered, as if it were its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find M 10. It looked uncannily like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to M 80. It looked like Smokey the Bear. After that, I hunted IC 951. It took me back to the first time I saw black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to IC 1084. It was better than Dubya. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon IC 1782. It looked like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I checked off NGC 2938. It reminded me of Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I slewed to M 16 in Fornax. It was as bright as a far-away cloud. After that, I identified M 107. It seemed just like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I star-hopped to Abell 14. It looked uncannily like Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched M 74 in Pisces Austrinus. It looked a bit like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I sketched B 415. It glowed, rather like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I slewed to IC 1934. It was a dead ringer for cotton candy. After that, I located B 627. It compared favorably with a little triangle. Next, I tried for NGC 4262 in Antlia. It gave the appearance of a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected B 374. It looked exactly like cotton candy. Then, I found NGC 6617. It seemed fainter than the invisible man. Then, I sketched M 19. It was easy, just like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I jumped to B 7. It was as bright as the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected M 22. It was like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.

After a short break to warm up in the car, I jumped to IC 1074. It took me back to the first time I saw one of Martha Stewart's doilies.

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) .

(Don't forget to hit reload.)