My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, 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 40 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 91. It gave the appearance of the pillars of creation. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off M 79. It was not quite as bright as R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off M 18. It seemed fainter than a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located IC 3465 in Hydra. It was a blurry likeness of Gollum. Then, I located Abell 10 in Antlia. It appeared at low power like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I showed some guests NGC 331. It glowed, rather like Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I slewed to NGC 3411. It took me back to the first time I saw a waterfall. Then, I had a chance to see M 19. It compared favorably with Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to Abell 31. It somewhat resembled a whale spouting. After that, I located NGC 534. It looked uncannily like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I sought M 82 in Ursa Major. It was even more difficult than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I sought Abell 37. It sparkled like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I nudged my telescope to M 27. It glowed, rather like cotton candy.

After a short break to empty my output buffers, I hunted for M 73 in Canes Venatici. It appeared in the eyepiece like yet another globular. After that, I found by accident IC 567. It was as bright as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.

After a short break to do some yoga, I sought NGC 4536. It would be easy to confuse with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook B 104 in Corvus. It sparkled like a spider. With that checked off my list, I found IC 3089. It was not quite as bright as R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched IC 424. It glowed, rather like an inflamed monkey butt. After that, I sketched B 372. It appeared as Alan Rickman. After that, I studied IC 1571 in Perseus. It was as bright as black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I checked out IC 59. It compared favorably with yet another globular.

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 getting shot in the face by Dick Cheney.


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

(Don't forget to hit reload.)