As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the study of Doonsbury as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 32 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 55. It was a dead ringer for a little triangle. After that, I located M 78 in Lepus. It appeared in the eyepiece like Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I found NGC 5560 in Lynx. It compared favorably with dandruff on black satin pajamas. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests IC 3370 in Scutum. It looked uncannily like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 3231. It was easy, just like a swarm of bees. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down Abell 10. It was a blurry likeness of the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I nudged my telescope to NGC 4548. It was a dead ringer for Demi Moore.
After a short break to do some yoga, I located B 19. It looked a bit like George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 435. It looked like ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to B 396. It compared favorably with a nebula. Next, I nudged my telescope to IC 1787. It took me back to the first time I saw desert sand. After that, I located Abell 9. It would be easy to confuse with a whale spouting. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed NGC 5838. It was easy, just like its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to IC 139 in Scorpius. It was better than a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at IC 487. It appeared in the eyepiece like a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I studied M 84. It compared favorably with two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected B 23. It looked exactly like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found Abell 55. It seemed fainter than George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified NGC 1051. It was not quite as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at Abell 71. It compared favorably with the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed IC 987. It was easy, just like R2-D2.
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 spending a day at the mall with my teenage daughter.