My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the inner workings of my life's work 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 51 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 94. It was easy, just like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I star-hopped to B 151 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It seemed fainter than dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I sought NGC 6267. It seemed fainter than whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located Abell 78 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was better than Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for Abell 1 in Pisces Austrinus. It was easy, just like spent coals, faintly glowing.

After a short break to converse with an owl, I nudged my telescope to IC 1712. It shimmered, as if it were diamonds on black velvet. With that checked off my list, I jumped to M 12. It was like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I hunted for Abell 35 in Sculptor. It would be easy to confuse with dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for B 288. It looked uncannily like Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I tracked down NGC 1842. It seemed most like spent coals, faintly glowing. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 48. It glowed, rather like blackness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident IC 1263. It would be easy to confuse with its Hubble photograph. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for M 62 in Serpens. It took me back to the first time I saw a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I hunted NGC 6359 in Orion. It looked exactly like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I jumped to IC 2170. It appeared as cotton on velvet. Then, I glimpsed B 285. It glowed, rather like Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected IC 3064 in Sagittarius. It took me back to the first time I saw cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I studied IC 2975 in Fornax. It compared favorably with a smoke ring. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 47 in Lynx. It seemed just like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, I had a chance to see IC 1759. It seemed most like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for Abell 42. It reminded me of the eye of God.

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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