As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of astrology 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 10 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 110 in Draco. It appeared to be diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for Abell 81. It compared favorably with dancing elephants. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook Abell 29 in Scorpius. It was like spent coals, faintly glowing. With that checked off my list, I studied NGC 2992. It sparkled like a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I jumped to B 47. It sparkled like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I tried for Abell 83. It gave the appearance of a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought Abell 45 in Corvus. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon NGC 4797 in Fornax. It was a dead ringer for the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I studied Abell 40. It was as bright as yet another globular. With that checked off my list, I tried B 175 in Draco. It appeared in the eyepiece like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I checked off M 60. It shimmered, as if it were diamonds on light grey velvet.
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 hot poker rammed up your nose.