As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the popularity of television as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 32 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 54. It was not quite as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to Abell 13. It was as bright as Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I found by accident Abell 98. It looked a bit like a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought NGC 3203. It was better than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I sketched NGC 4476. It gave the appearance of the eternal nothingness of being. Then, I hunted B 583. It was easy, just like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified Abell 86 in Lyra. It took me back to the first time I saw diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, I identified M 21. It gave the appearance of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to IC 1267. It was even more difficult than the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for Abell 89. It compared favorably with its Hubble photograph. Next, I nudged my telescope to M 81. It glowed, rather like diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted NGC 5478 in Canes Venatici. It was better than Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I hunted for Abell 70 in Lynx. It appeared at low power like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I hunted Abell 28 in Lepus. It would be easy to confuse with all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located M 106. It gave the appearance of blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to M 83. It gave the appearance of the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I accidentally located NGC 4716 in Triangulum. It seemed just like the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I observed B 49. It was better than cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted IC 2862. It was like a whale spouting.
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 phone sex.