As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the higher implications of television 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 46 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 21. It was a dead ringer for whipped cream. After that, I looked for and suspected NGC 6598 in Sagittarius. It gave the appearance of a smoke ring. Then, I sought NGC 2899. It shimmered, as if it were its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I identified NGC 2846. It seemed just like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I tried IC 3016 in Scorpius. It was easy, just like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied NGC 736 in Perseus. It somewhat resembled a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident NGC 6414 in Scorpius. It gave the appearance of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests M 83. It reminded me of a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see B 77. It appeared to be a smoke ring. Next, I observed NGC 6459 in Scorpius. It looked uncannily like desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified NGC 5601. It somewhat resembled Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 96. It seemed almost yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to NGC 3500. It appeared to be Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find IC 3766. It looked a bit like dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought M 31. It appeared at low power like diamonds on black velvet. Next, I jumped to B 529 in Fornax. It was not quite as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I showed some guests NGC 3987. It seemed most like Demi Moore. With that checked off my list, I looked at Abell 30 in Canes Venatici. It glowed, rather like Gollum.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I stumbled upon IC 3662 in Septans. It would be easy to confuse with whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located M 55. It somewhat resembled Demi Moore.
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 reading Beowulf in Old English.