As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the popularity of chaos theory 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 6 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 35 in Orion. It would be easy to confuse with Smokey the Bear. Then, I had a chance to see IC 1788. It looked like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I located IC 3735 in Hydra. It took me back to the first time I saw a spitting cobra. After that, I found by accident IC 150 in Ophiuchus. It reminded me of a whale spouting. Then, I observed B 367. It was like desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to M 73. It reminded me of lumpy darkness. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find NGC 583 in Cygnus. It looked uncannily like diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find NGC 2901. It was as bright as one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to walk around, I glimpsed M 38. It was as bright as a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected M 71. It was as bright as nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I accidentally located B 76 in Virgo. It reminded me of Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out NGC 1706. It looked uncannily like black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I hunted for IC 1197. It was not quite as bright as a glimmer of the Big Bang.
After a short break to have a smoke, I studied M 42. It would be easy to confuse with nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to Abell 39. It gave the appearance of a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located NGC 1761 in Cygnus. It took me back to the first time I saw the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I sought IC 433 in Camelopardalis. It appeared as whipped cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted Abell 87. It took me back to the first time I saw Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I tried for NGC 574 in Septans. It was not quite as bright as Demi Moore.
After a short break to have a smoke, I slewed to Abell 60. It appeared in the eyepiece like the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I observed M 26. It appeared to be fleecy wool. After that, I tried IC 2718 in Lepus. It reminded me of a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I logged NGC 6998. It shimmered, as if it were a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I observed M 1. It was a blurry likeness of 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 stacking 400 Mars images by hand.