As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of Dilbert 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 34 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 54 in Perseus. It seemed almost a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I hunted for NGC 833. It appeared at low power like Alan Rickman. After that, I went for B 514 in Orion. It was a blurry likeness of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I found M 34. It appeared to be a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see NGC 4098 in Scorpius. It somewhat resembled a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see M 110. It reminded me of fleecy wool.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I found by accident Abell 12. It gave the appearance of spent coals, faintly glowing.
After a short break to walk around, I tried Abell 52. It reminded me of a spider. After that, I showed some guests Abell 47 in Sculptor. It seemed fainter than cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I stumbled upon B 647. It looked like a UFO. Next, I star-hopped to B 583. It reminded me of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon NGC 5908 in Corvus. It appeared at low power like desert sand.
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 poetry reading marathon.