My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the higher implications of the universe as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 8 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 14 in Fornax. It looked exactly like a spitting cobra. Then, I studied NGC 6670. It gave the appearance of a UFO. Next, I tried for IC 2275. It gave the appearance of blackness. With that checked off my list, I sought IC 2398. It seemed most like ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon M 98. It looked uncannily like a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched B 503 in Fornax. It was not quite as bright as black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I identified IC 429. It seemed almost a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied NGC 4271. It appeared in the eyepiece like desert sand. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon M 84 in Ursa Major. It looked a bit like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, I tried IC 40 in Scutum. It glowed, rather like a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found M 43 in Canes Venatici. It glowed, rather like blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 665 in the western sky. It appeared to be Smokey the Bear.

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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