The following is an article from The Annals of Improbable Research.
(Image credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF)
by Eric Schulman
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Charlottesville, Virginia
Acronyms swim and
Bullets denote a life's work
On your resume.
A flash of insight.
The Universe demands that
You test the theory.
Peruse the journals.
An unsuccessful search means
You need new data!
Write a proposal
To justify the science
That you need to do.
Have patience while the
Time Assignment Committee
Evaluates you.
Congratulations,
You have been awarded time.
Prepare for the run.
On board the plane you
Explain astronomy to
Fellow passengers.
Once on the mountain
You have little time to rest.
Check the telescope.
A message appears:
"Cannot access pixel file."
You must fix this bug.
You are ready now.
The telescope is working.
Eat a quick dinner.
The sun is setting.
It's time to open the dome.
The stars await you.
(Image credit: ESO/B. Tafreshi (twanight.org)
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This article is republished with permission from the May-June 1998 issue of the Annals of Improbable Research. You can purchase back issues of the magazine or subscribe to receive future issues, in printed or in ebook form. Or get a subscription for someone as a gift!
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