My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of the human spirit 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 27 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 4 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared at low power like a swarm of bees. Then, I hunted for IC 911. It looked a bit like diamonds on black velvet.

After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I logged IC 808 in Antlia. It took me back to the first time I saw the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I hunted for IC 1558. It appeared to be Alan Rickman. After that, I studied B 400. It would be easy to confuse with Gollum. With that checked off my list, I located M 33. It was even more difficult than blackness. Then, I tracked down Abell 63. It looked a bit like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).

After a short break to listen to Mozart, I added to my logbook IC 2684. It was a blurry likeness of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I located IC 3649 in the western sky. It seemed fainter than a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find IC 1923. It appeared at low power like spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I found by accident NGC 6301. It seemed almost two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I located M 49 in Virgo. It was even more difficult than Miss Piggy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought M 104. It was like a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for M 62. It was a dead ringer for its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I observed IC 375. It seemed just like Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident B 95. It was a dead ringer for diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I identified NGC 5020 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was a dead ringer for a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I slewed to IC 2139 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was like whipped cream.

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) .

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