As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the current state of the energy crisis as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 20 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 71 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It reminded me of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at NGC 6123. It looked a bit like Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I hunted M 44. It was even more difficult than a smoke ring. With that checked off my list, I sketched NGC 5057 in Ursa Major. It sparkled like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident B 648. It looked exactly like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I sought B 442. It was a blurry likeness of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I star-hopped to B 229. It looked a bit like Gollum. Next, I logged NGC 2020 in Hydra. It appeared as a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off M 25. It shimmered, as if it were the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I checked out B 424. It was as bright as an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook IC 1462. It compared favorably with a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, I located NGC 2673 in Gemini. It shimmered, as if it were its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I went for B 71. It was not quite as bright as R2-D2.
After a short break to check my email, I stumbled upon NGC 5519. It shimmered, as if it were cotton candy. After that, I studied NGC 5927 in Sagittarius. It somewhat resembled one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried M 40. It looked exactly like the pillars of creation.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I sought M 32. It was a blurry likeness of blackness.
After a short break to do some yoga, I sketched IC 3481. It was easy, just like desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for IC 2736 in Virgo. It looked exactly like the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I found M 82. It would be easy to confuse with a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I studied M 110. It reminded me of a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for B 66. It appeared to be a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests IC 3469. It appeared in the eyepiece 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 getting shot in the face by Dick Cheney.