As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the study of astrology as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 26 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 35 in Gemini. It appeared at low power like diamonds on light grey velvet. After that, I showed some guests Abell 30. It looked exactly like cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I sought NGC 6639. It was like an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I checked off M 79. It appeared as lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected M 87 in Septans. It appeared as Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted NGC 1378. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see Abell 30. It looked like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I studied B 63. It glowed, rather like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see NGC 470 in Scorpius. It appeared at low power like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I tried Abell 14. It was a blurry likeness of one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook Abell 68. It reminded me of ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off Abell 6 in Camelopardalis. It seemed fainter than fleecy wool. Then, I located M 77. It appeared in the eyepiece like ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed IC 3416 in Fornax. It was as bright as the face of God. Then, for a real challenge, I found NGC 6619 in Serpens. It took me back to the first time I saw dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I checked out B 402. It looked exactly like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to NGC 5264. It looked a bit like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I located M 69 in the western sky. It was a dead ringer for a spitting cobra. Then, I logged Abell 72. It looked a bit 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 cleaning the bathroom.