My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of the human spirit as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 21 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 110. It seemed almost a whale spouting. Next, I stumbled upon M 63. It appeared in the eyepiece like a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to B 363. It was a dead ringer for nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found NGC 2441. It seemed just like ripples of water. Next, I hunted for M 13. It appeared in the eyepiece like a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected IC 3029 in Triangulum. It seemed just like Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed M 47 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was a blurry likeness of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted B 462 in Triangulum. It was even more difficult than yet another globular. Next, I found by accident M 23. It seemed just like Alan Rickman. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected IC 1704. It reminded me of a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I studied M 88 in Sagittarius. It was even more difficult than the invisible man. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon M 107. It looked uncannily like Dubya. Then, I had a chance to see B 201. It seemed just like a little triangle. After that, I slewed to Abell 7 in Pisces Austrinus. It took me back to the first time I saw Gollum. Then, I tracked down NGC 4438. It was easy, just like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook Abell 86. It looked a bit like whispy tendrils of nebulosity.

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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