As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of cosmology 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 59 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 12 in Perseus. It would be easy to confuse with the invisible man. After that, I identified Abell 15. It was even more difficult than its Hubble photograph.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I looked for and suspected NGC 1959. It was a dead ringer for its Hubble photograph. After that, I showed some guests B 596. It seemed just like the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected B 147 in Triangulum. It shimmered, as if it were an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried M 46. It looked like the eye of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to IC 2282. It took me back to the first time I saw its Hubble photograph. Next, I had a chance to see M 7 in Sagittarius. It somewhat resembled ripples of water. Next, I had a chance to see Abell 82. It seemed just like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see M 81 in Ursa Major. It appeared as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at M 9 in Lynx. It was easy, just like a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed B 528. It appeared at low power like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
After a short break to do some yoga, I stumbled upon IC 2848 in Lepus. It was even more difficult than the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected B 383. It was a dead ringer for yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought NGC 2756. It seemed just like spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I showed some guests NGC 33. It was easy, just like Miss Piggy. Next, I tried IC 1247. It looked uncannily like a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see NGC 2767. It compared favorably with a waterfall.
After a short break to do some yoga, I sketched M 37 in Septans. It was as bright as a spitting cobra. Then, I found by accident M 98. It looked exactly like the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I located B 400 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It appeared as a cantilever bra. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down B 199 in Serpens. It would be easy to confuse with the pillars of creation. Next, I checked out Abell 70. It seemed just like a spider. Then, I found by accident IC 503. It looked like Miss Piggy.
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 being strapped naked to an anthill.