My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the higher implications of astrology 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 51 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 82 in Hydra. It took me back to the first time I saw the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought B 303. It shimmered, as if it were Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon NGC 4223. It seemed fainter than a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted Abell 25 in Gemini. It appeared as a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.

After a short break to do some yoga, I star-hopped to NGC 2818. It was as bright as black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I had a chance to see B 473. It appeared at low power like desert sand.

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 sex.


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

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