As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of cosmology as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 20 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 52. It took me back to the first time I saw a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for NGC 3007 in Cygnus. It seemed most like a smoke ring.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I checked out NGC 1945. It would be easy to confuse with cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for B 643. It appeared in the eyepiece like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see IC 2445 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was a blurry likeness of the last six objects I'd seen. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to M 4 in Corvus. It shimmered, as if it were a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged IC 27. It sparkled like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I slewed to NGC 474 in Ursa Major. It compared favorably with R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I jumped to Abell 79 in Draco. It was like the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I tried for B 75 in Perseus. It was a blurry likeness of the face of God. After that, I went for M 95 in Hydra. It seemed just like Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located IC 3005 in Perseus. It was not quite as bright as the invisible man. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for Abell 73. It gave the appearance of diamonds on black velvet. Next, I helped a beginner find NGC 1068. It appeared to be smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to B 478. It gave the appearance of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
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.