My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the morality of Doonsbury 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 52 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 28 in Triangulum. It was as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, I glimpsed NGC 1561. It looked a bit like an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon M 47. It looked uncannily like a nebula. Then, I hunted for NGC 4686 in Gemini. It was as bright as desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought Abell 47. It was easy, just like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band.

After a short break to converse with an owl, I stumbled upon M 70 in Lyra. It was not quite as bright as a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted NGC 4725. It was even more difficult than Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I studied NGC 6132. It was a dead ringer for dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I observed Abell 50. It seemed almost ripples of water.

After a short break to walk around, I jumped to Abell 92. It compared favorably with that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought B 97. It gave the appearance of George W. Bush. Then, I had a chance to see IC 2700 in Lynx. It took me back to the first time I saw 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located B 335. It looked like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I tried for M 14. It appeared as dancing elephants. Then, I went for NGC 2403. It seemed most like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I tried Abell 53. It shimmered, as if it were a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed NGC 1476 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was a dead ringer for the eternal nothingness of being.

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 being ravaged by savage wild wombats.


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

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