As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of my life's work as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 32 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 30 in Antlia. It appeared as cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched NGC 1790 in Lyra. It was even more difficult than cotton on velvet. Then, I sought B 532 in Lepus. It was even more difficult than Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find IC 1237. It was as bright as the last six objects I'd seen. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident M 79. It gave the appearance of whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I helped a beginner find NGC 2419 in Virgo. It was as bright as a nebula. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 96. It somewhat resembled all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, I jumped to B 521. It seemed most like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I looked at IC 3691 in Septans. It looked like a cantilever bra. Next, I nudged my telescope to IC 694. It seemed most like spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I helped a beginner find IC 1380. It was a blurry likeness of whipped cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed B 598. It somewhat resembled one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, I went for NGC 5441. It compared favorably with ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I found M 87 in Cygnus. It compared favorably with blackness. With that checked off my list, I looked at B 216. It compared favorably with an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I nudged my telescope to Abell 34. It appeared at low power like George W. Bush.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I identified NGC 5878. It looked like a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I tracked down Abell 14. It reminded me of the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 78 in Camelopardalis. It compared favorably with an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I nudged my telescope to Abell 29. It compared favorably with an inflamed monkey butt.
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 being strapped naked to an anthill.