As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of tight underwear as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 43 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 109 in Ophiuchus. It compared favorably with a nebula.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I sought Abell 19. It somewhat resembled an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I sought M 72. It appeared in the eyepiece like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I had a chance to see NGC 1070. It seemed most like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I tried Abell 97. It took me back to the first time I saw the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I logged Abell 76. It was as bright as cotton candy. Next, I sought NGC 293 in Canis Major. It was not quite as bright as Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out B 463 in Cygnus. It was a dead ringer for a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied M 62 in Lyra. It seemed fainter than a swarm of bees. Next, I checked off B 337. It was as bright as cotton candy. Next, I had a chance to see B 168. It was a dead ringer for the face of God.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I stumbled upon M 72 in Ophiuchus. It was a blurry likeness of Gollum. Next, I stumbled upon B 467 in Ursa Minor. It was a blurry likeness of cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see B 267. It gave the appearance of the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I found M 103. It appeared in the eyepiece like Gollum. Then, for a real challenge, I observed IC 1824. It would be easy to confuse with ripples of water.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I located B 400. It compared favorably with a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
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 the evening reading blogs.