As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 28 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 57. It was like black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I hunted Abell 99. It seemed almost an inflamed monkey butt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to Abell 85. It appeared to be a cantilever bra. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident NGC 390. It appeared as R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for M 103 in Ophiuchus. It seemed most like lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see NGC 1608. It was even more difficult than R2-D2. After that, I looked at Abell 84 in Lepus. It seemed almost two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find B 106. It took me back to the first time I saw a cantilever bra. Then, I hunted for B 647. It reminded me of a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located IC 528 in Serpens. It appeared at low power like spent coals, faintly glowing.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I looked at M 60. It was not quite as bright as its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted B 142. It seemed just like a UFO. After that, I found NGC 6798. It was like desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged M 15 in Ursa Major. It appeared at low power like the eye of God. Next, I slewed to IC 2818. It appeared in the eyepiece like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I stumbled upon NGC 5993 in Triangulum. It reminded me of fleecy wool. Then, I jumped to B 357 in Lyra. It was easy, just like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I glimpsed M 45. It was like the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find Abell 23 in Sagittarius. It was like fleecy wool. Next, I observed M 58. It looked a bit like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I jumped to B 6. It appeared to be a whale spouting. After that, I identified NGC 6228 in Lynx. It compared favorably with cotton candy. Then, I looked at NGC 2129. It seemed fainter than the eye of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident IC 789 in Scorpius. It was like cream being swirled into hot coffee.
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 a night watching an I Love Lucy marathon on Nick at Night.