As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of world hunger 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 36 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 14. It seemed just like a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I observed M 70 in Serpens. It glowed, rather like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, for a real challenge, I identified B 317. It took me back to the first time I saw the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook IC 910. It would be easy to confuse with Smokey the Bear. Next, I star-hopped to M 16. It was a dead ringer for a waterfall.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I checked off IC 2903. It was better than Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find Abell 80 in Draco. It looked a bit like dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted B 324. It was a blurry likeness of diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to M 67. It compared favorably with a far-away cloud. Next, I observed NGC 6817 in Antlia. It appeared to be a swarm of bees. Next, I hunted for Abell 7. It somewhat resembled blackness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to Abell 74. It glowed, rather like cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to IC 3196. It reminded me of a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests M 39. It was easy, just like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, I jumped to B 309. It appeared to be the invisible man. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon B 359 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared at low power like cotton candy. Then, I showed some guests IC 2212. It was easy, just like desert sand. After that, I looked for and suspected IC 1550. It was a blurry likeness of a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at Abell 23. It glowed, rather like whipped cream. After that, I hunted NGC 1568. It appeared as ripples of water.
After a short break to walk around, I stumbled upon Abell 9. It seemed almost a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, I looked for and suspected NGC 5012. It looked uncannily like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I checked out B 225. It was better than smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After that, I sketched IC 2016. It glowed, rather like 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 hunting with the Vice President.