As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 36 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 65 in Sagittarius. It was even more difficult than all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I identified IC 448. It seemed just like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at IC 2686 in Lynx. It appeared as the eternal nothingness of being.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I hunted for Abell 23. It seemed almost a nebula. With that checked off my list, I located M 89. It appeared to be desert sand. After that, I checked out IC 3664. It was like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I tried IC 1309. It was better than ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I observed NGC 6135. It took me back to the first time I saw whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon B 165 in Antlia. It would be easy to confuse with two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to NGC 1162. It took me back to the first time I saw Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook IC 2338. It reminded me of a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I identified IC 3141. It reminded me of a little triangle. After that, I jumped to NGC 1172. It seemed almost a cantilever bra. Then, I checked out NGC 490. It sparkled like blackness. Then, I observed NGC 1339. It looked a bit like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to Abell 66. It seemed fainter than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to IC 2522 in Camelopardalis. It looked a bit like the last six objects I'd seen.
After a short break to chat, I found NGC 3596. It appeared at low power like Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected Abell 67. It reminded me of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I tracked down B 153. It was better than black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected NGC 1266. It would be easy to confuse with that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I logged B 20. It looked uncannily like Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find M 36. It sparkled like the eye of God.
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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.