My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the insignificance of Plato's Republic 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 24 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 38 in that confusing part of Virgo. It compared favorably with dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to IC 3595. It was as bright as a waterfall.

After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I found by accident Abell 44. It shimmered, as if it were a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see B 33 in that confusing part of Virgo. It compared favorably with diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 3404 in Fornax. It compared favorably with Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted Abell 62 in Scorpius. It seemed almost a waterfall. Then, I jumped to Abell 55 in Camelopardalis. It glowed, rather like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to B 347. It was not quite as bright as all the other smudges I've ever looked at.

After a short break to recite my mantra, I had a chance to see B 63. It somewhat resembled 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, I added to my logbook M 75 in Hydra. It glowed, rather like Santa Claus. Then, I observed M 46 in that confusing part of Virgo. It compared favorably with a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied NGC 4605 in Lynx. It was better than cotton on velvet. Then, I stumbled upon NGC 2809. It was even more difficult than a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to NGC 6603. It seemed almost blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests B 102. It would be easy to confuse with 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I logged M 55 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared at low power like the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I found by accident Abell 11. It was even more difficult than Gollum. With that checked off my list, I tried for B 328. It compared favorably with a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for NGC 2086 in Hydra. It shimmered, as if it were one of Martha Stewart's doilies.

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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.


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

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