My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of the energy crisis 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 19 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 1. It seemed just like R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified B 179. It gave the appearance of Smokey the Bear.

After a short break to converse with an owl, I logged M 41. It was even more difficult than an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I tried for Abell 35. It appeared in the eyepiece like blackness. With that checked off my list, I checked out NGC 4258. It shimmered, as if it were desert sand. Next, I added to my logbook IC 118 in Cygnus. It looked exactly like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I located NGC 1120. It shimmered, as if it were fleecy wool. After that, I star-hopped to NGC 194. It gave the appearance of Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to NGC 4934 in Hydra. It looked exactly like a whale spouting. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to Abell 75. It seemed fainter than the pillars of creation. After that, I looked at IC 222. It was as bright as a nebula. With that checked off my list, I observed B 359 in Orion. It was even more difficult than two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I went for NGC 883 in Antlia. It looked a bit like the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified B 321. It looked a bit like ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook M 72. It was like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I looked for and suspected NGC 2279. It was easy, just like dandruff on black satin pajamas.

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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