My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the higher implications of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. 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 103 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was easy, just like Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to IC 1454 in Antlia. It looked a bit like a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see M 14 in Serpens. It looked a bit like fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to M 47. It was a blurry likeness of one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I found NGC 661. It appeared to be Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I logged Abell 39. It took me back to the first time I saw a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed NGC 863. It was even more difficult than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for Abell 87. It looked a bit like a smoke ring.

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 spending the evening reading blogs.


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

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