As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the current implications of Doonsbury 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 23 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 97 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was a blurry likeness of Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I identified IC 1705 in Ursa Major. It was a blurry likeness of cotton on velvet. After that, I found IC 2569. It compared favorably with Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to have a smoke, I looked for and suspected IC 1930. It reminded me of a spitting cobra. After that, I tried B 245 in that confusing part of Virgo. It would be easy to confuse with lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to IC 3127. It seemed most like a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon NGC 5721 in Sagittarius. It appeared in the eyepiece like a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down B 248. It looked exactly like a waterfall. Then, I observed Abell 57 in Serpens. It reminded me of fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I hunted NGC 1459 in Camelopardalis. It looked exactly like Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located IC 1631 in Perseus. It appeared as a cantilever bra. Next, I stumbled upon NGC 6762. It sparkled like whipped cream. After that, I studied NGC 1707. It seemed just like a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I studied M 54. It seemed just like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I accidentally located B 159. It looked like a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down NGC 543. It seemed most like a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests Abell 21. It seemed most like Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for Abell 44 in Serpens. It was even more difficult than a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I located IC 3735. It was even more difficult than the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook IC 3694. It appeared as a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I logged Abell 85 in Virgo. It looked exactly like the eternal nothingness of being.
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 sex.