My observing report

As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Dilbert as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 11 telescopes set up.

I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 21 in Gemini. It gave the appearance of the invisible man. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to Abell 77. It reminded me of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to IC 847. It glowed, rather like Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off NGC 165 in Gemini. It appeared as Smokey the Bear. Next, I helped a beginner find IC 2132. It appeared at low power like whipped cream. Then, I tracked down Abell 14. It appeared as the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I looked at NGC 6909. It looked uncannily like black pearls on flocked paper.

After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I glimpsed Abell 25 in Hydra. It was as bright as Miss Piggy. Then, I helped a beginner find M 67. It appeared as dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident NGC 6088 in Antlia. It was like George W. Bush. Next, I jumped to NGC 6080. It would be easy to confuse with R2-D2. After that, I studied NGC 5808 in Virgo. It appeared at low power like a swarm of bees. Then, I identified B 116 in that confusing part of Virgo. It gave the appearance of dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 1458. It gave the appearance of a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to Abell 96 in Virgo. It seemed most like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I sketched M 51. It shimmered, as if it were whipped cream. After that, I went for B 4. It sparkled like Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located IC 50. It somewhat resembled blackness. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 88. It glowed, rather like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off M 105. It appeared as Smokey the Bear.

After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I nudged my telescope to IC 943 in Triangulum. It was a blurry likeness of diamonds on light grey velvet. After that, I had a chance to see B 181. It looked uncannily like a spider. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 361. It sparkled like whipped cream. Next, I looked for and suspected B 26. It sparkled like a whale spouting.

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 observing reports.


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

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