As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the deep impact of television 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 55 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 1. It would be easy to confuse with an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I hunted for NGC 5745. It appeared in the eyepiece like blackness. After that, I slewed to NGC 5 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It reminded me of dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I studied M 50. It glowed, rather like the eye of God. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out M 32. It looked uncannily like dancing elephants. Next, I jumped to Abell 34 in Gemini. It appeared in the eyepiece like yet another globular.
After a short break to check my email, I found by accident NGC 3059. It gave the appearance of dandruff on black satin pajamas. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off IC 1195 in Sagittarius. It was a blurry likeness of a little triangle. Then, I studied IC 921. It was better than a cantilever bra. After that, I studied Abell 66 in Ophiuchus. It was not quite as bright as the pillars of creation.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I found by accident IC 3859. It appeared in the eyepiece like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for M 50. It was a dead ringer for a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to Abell 13. It looked exactly like George W. Bush. Next, I went for NGC 2335 in Camelopardalis. It seemed almost a cantilever bra. After that, I hunted for IC 924. It was better than Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified IC 2168 in that confusing part of Virgo. It seemed just like cotton candy. Then, I went for IC 443 in Triangulum. It seemed just like R2-D2. Next, I identified NGC 3087. It was as bright as the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I logged Abell 35. It was even more difficult than a smoke ring.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I helped a beginner find B 338 in Perseus. It glowed, rather 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 a State of the Union address.