As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the current state of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 34 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 94. It was even more difficult than an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I tried M 27. It looked a bit like nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off Abell 31. It was a dead ringer for Miss Piggy. Then, I tried NGC 6048. It glowed, rather like fleecy wool. Then, I star-hopped to NGC 4730 in Scorpius. It was as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed IC 2447 in the western sky. It was not quite as bright as an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I tracked down M 55. It compared favorably with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to M 104 in the western sky. It sparkled like an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I studied M 88 in that confusing part of Virgo. It took me back to the first time I saw whipped cream. Then, I hunted IC 2487 in Canis Major. It appeared as diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I tried IC 2160 in Hydra. It looked like all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I nudged my telescope to IC 2159. It was easy, just like the pillars of creation. Next, I slewed to M 65. It was even more difficult than dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I jumped to B 329. It looked like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find Abell 40. It appeared in the eyepiece like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I hunted for B 326. It was a dead ringer for two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed M 56 in Gemini. It looked like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
After a short break to warm up in the car, I accidentally located IC 137 in Hydra. It reminded me of nothing I'd ever seen before.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I found M 52. It was as bright as the eye of God. After that, I had a chance to see B 160 in Sculptor. It appeared in the eyepiece like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I tried IC 882 in Ursa Major. It reminded me of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I looked at IC 237. It was a dead ringer for the eye of God.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.