My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of the internet as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 6 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 97 in Cygnus. It was not quite as bright as an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.

After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I looked at NGC 3993. It appeared in the eyepiece like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I showed some guests NGC 6448. It looked exactly like Demi Moore. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at B 88. It was like Demi Moore. After that, I tried for B 519. It was even more difficult than R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought Abell 12 in Sculptor. It looked uncannily like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought IC 3903. It reminded me of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I logged B 277. It reminded me of a spitting cobra. After that, I added to my logbook M 10. It looked a bit like nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried NGC 3839. It appeared at low power like a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found NGC 6297. It was like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, I found by accident IC 631. It was as bright as lumpy darkness. After that, I jumped to B 227. It seemed just like cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed NGC 1868. It was easy, just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I slewed to Abell 64 in Septans. It gave the appearance of diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried IC 3322 in Perseus. It seemed just like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.

After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I located B 187 in Antlia. It looked a bit like cream being swirled into hot coffee.

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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