As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the insignificance of the internet 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 55 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 109. It seemed just like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to M 43. It compared favorably with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I checked off IC 2152. It glowed, rather like R2-D2. Then, I glimpsed Abell 53. It was a dead ringer for a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see IC 1183 in Corvus. It glowed, rather like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. With that checked off my list, I checked off M 65. It compared favorably with a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located M 33. It appeared in the eyepiece like Gollum.
After a short break to chat, I checked off Abell 80. It seemed just like the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for Abell 29 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It looked a bit like Alan Rickman.
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 night watching an I Love Lucy marathon on Nick at Night.