As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the popularity of tight underwear as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 2 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 15. It appeared as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I hunted for B 142. It shimmered, as if it were the invisible man.
After a short break to do some yoga, I looked for and suspected M 6. It gave the appearance of desert sand. After that, I sought NGC 6572. It would be easy to confuse with Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to Abell 64. It was as bright as cotton candy. After that, I identified IC 2811 in Ursa Minor. It seemed fainter than a whale spouting. Then, I glimpsed B 198. It appeared at low power like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
After a short break to do some yoga, I hunted for Abell 93. It looked like Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at B 302. It shimmered, as if it were diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched M 48. It seemed most like black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I looked for and suspected M 79 in Canis Major. It was not quite as bright as the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I looked at Abell 44 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It shimmered, as if it were Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off Abell 42. It reminded me of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I located M 83. It looked uncannily like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I tried Abell 94. It would be easy to confuse with the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I slewed to M 78. It appeared in the eyepiece like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I stumbled upon IC 2427 in the western sky. It seemed most like desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for Abell 40. It seemed just like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook B 26. It seemed just like ripples of water. After that, I tracked down NGC 1546. It seemed most like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I added to my logbook B 210. It seemed most like the eternal nothingness of being. Then, I helped a beginner find IC 2290. It appeared to be that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to NGC 2461 in Camelopardalis. It somewhat resembled Miss Piggy.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.