As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of the internet as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 39 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 82. It seemed most like the last six objects I'd seen. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected M 74. It would be easy to confuse with whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I hunted for B 605. It looked like a nebula.
After a short break to chat, I jumped to IC 3713 in Virgo. It shimmered, as if it were the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied M 30. It compared favorably with an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I jumped to Abell 57. It was easy, just like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I observed B 397. It was easy, just like dancing elephants. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find B 263. It was better than whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I checked off NGC 5035. It seemed fainter than diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off Abell 62. It was not quite as bright as desert sand. With that checked off my list, I went for M 97. It seemed almost a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed NGC 2387 in Serpens. It seemed almost a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I sought B 530 in Cygnus. It was a dead ringer for whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged NGC 109 in Gemini. It gave the appearance of ripples of water. Next, I sketched NGC 987 in the western sky. It somewhat resembled all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied Abell 62. It was a blurry likeness of the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I hunted for NGC 6895. It seemed just like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I sought B 39. It appeared to be lumpy darkness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook Abell 42. It appeared at low power like dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed M 79 in Antlia. It was like a cantilever bra. Then, I added to my logbook IC 3826. It was not quite as bright as Gollum. Then, I sought Abell 60. It was not quite as bright as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I found by accident M 14. It looked uncannily like the invisible man.
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 a day out under the hot sun with bitter enemies.