You Might NOT Be An Astronomer If You Think That...

George Murphy


AURORA BOREALIS
is an exotic dancer in Nome, Alaska

LIGHT POLLUTION
is a few beer cans in the yard.

an UMBRA
is something you need during a rain shower.

PLUTO
is Mickey's sidekick

HYPERED FILM
is when you really need to brush your teeth.

NORTHERN LIGHTS
is a brand of a mentholated, low nicotine cigarette.

PERIHELION
is a guy who sang "That's Amore" in the 1950s.

SOLAR CORONA
is warm Mexican beer.

BETELGEUSE
is the stuff you squeegee off the windshield of your car.

an OFF AXIS GUIDER
is a persistent backseat driver.

a MAKSUTOV
is a wine bottle filled with gasoline and thrown at tanks.

a STAR PARTY
is a Hollywood bash.

SCHMIDT-CASSEGRAIN
is a German meal made with rice.

REFRACTOR
is when Vito breaks your leg for the second time.

ZODIACAL LIGHT
is a low alcohol beer.

a STAR CHART
predicts the future.

a GASEOUS PROMINENCE
is Newt Gingrich.

a PENUMBRA
is something you need during a rain shower or when you need to write a note.

the PHOTOSPHERE
is a snapshot of a beachball.

an ASTRONOMICAL UNIT
refers to the cost of an Air Force toilet.

a GRAVITATIONAL LENS
is the new contact your kid drops through an open grate.

URANUS
is an anatomical feature rather than a planet.

CLOCK DRIVE
refers to the street beneath Big Ben.

a NEUTRON
is a fig cookie.

a LIGHT YEAR
is a period of time when you don't have enough cash.

a BLACK HOLE
is that sump in your basement.

SOLAR WIND
is what your fat uncle had after Thanksgiving dinner.

Published in the March 1996 issue of the NightTimes