As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the higher implications of the human spirit as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 14 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 57. It was easy, just like Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I tried for NGC 4762. It was like spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook IC 2013. It compared favorably with a spider. Next, I found M 62. It gave the appearance of nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I tried Abell 82 in Serpens. It seemed most like the eye of God. Next, I studied M 55. It was better than desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought M 51. It was even more difficult than dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, I found by accident IC 1913 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared in the eyepiece like the eye of God.
After a short break to chat, I tracked down IC 2055 in Gemini. It seemed fainter than a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at Abell 26. It compared favorably with a spitting cobra. Then, I showed some guests IC 2372. It seemed most like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to M 17. It took me back to the first time I saw the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged M 16. It was easy, just like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I tried NGC 1275. It appeared as a UFO. With that checked off my list, I sought B 137 in Antlia. It gave the appearance of fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located IC 838. It seemed most like dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook NGC 5406. It appeared in the eyepiece like spent coals, faintly glowing. With that checked off my list, I sketched IC 2517. It seemed almost R2-D2. After that, I slewed to M 51. It appeared to be a spitting cobra. After that, I had a chance to see NGC 4559. It was easy, just like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon M 55. It was not quite as bright as Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see B 47. It was not quite as bright as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I located Abell 92. It compared favorably with a waterfall. After that, I looked at Abell 82. It reminded me of 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 fetid Dingo's kidneys.