As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the higher implications of the human spirit as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 56 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 44. It sparkled like a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I studied B 635. It somewhat resembled that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for IC 2461 in Hydra. It would be easy to confuse with diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located NGC 5795. It appeared as its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to M 97. It seemed fainter than its Hubble photograph. Then, I glimpsed Abell 46 in Scorpius. It compared favorably with a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off NGC 1593. It looked uncannily like the face of God. Next, I went for B 539 in Virgo. It was not quite as bright as the eye of God. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for NGC 1871. It was even more difficult than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I observed IC 64. It appeared in the eyepiece like Alan Rickman. Next, I added to my logbook Abell 15. It seemed almost the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find M 66 in Gemini. It was as bright as cotton candy. Then, I added to my logbook M 43. It looked a bit like a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged M 33. It reminded me of desert sand. Then, I looked at B 442. It looked a bit like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I added to my logbook IC 529 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It seemed just like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located Abell 63. It shimmered, as if it were nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I logged M 106 in Ophiuchus. It looked exactly like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to check my email, I hunted for IC 1085. It was as bright as desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook IC 2640 in Cygnus. It looked exactly like diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for B 340. It reminded me of lumpy darkness. Next, I looked for and suspected IC 3666 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It seemed fainter than an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I sketched Abell 49. It was like cotton candy.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I found IC 1411 in Canes Venatici. It looked like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
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 being ravaged by savage wild wombats.