My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of television 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 55 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 79. It appeared as cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to Abell 38. It was not quite as bright as Miss Piggy. After that, I star-hopped to IC 3179. It seemed most like black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought NGC 467 in Lynx. It shimmered, as if it were Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located IC 736. It was better than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, I nudged my telescope to B 36 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was not quite as bright as ripples of water. Next, I accidentally located IC 3686. It was not quite as bright as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought NGC 4456. It was not quite as bright as cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I checked off B 59 in Lyra. It appeared as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I added to my logbook NGC 2168. It reminded me of the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I looked at NGC 27. It was as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I identified Abell 92 in Fornax. It would be easy to confuse with Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off Abell 18. It compared favorably with the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.

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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.


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

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