As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the current state of astrology as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 35 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 100. It looked uncannily like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I checked off Abell 19. It reminded me of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I helped a beginner find M 48. It was better than Smokey the Bear. After that, I looked at M 38. It appeared in the eyepiece like the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon B 408 in the western sky. It gave the appearance of a smoke ring. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located NGC 6940. It looked exactly like a spider. After that, I studied B 594. It reminded me of the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I sought Abell 81. It glowed, rather like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I slewed to M 54. It was not quite as bright as a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, I found M 108. It looked exactly like the invisible man. After that, I looked for and suspected M 45. It was better than a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see NGC 3814. It was easy, just like all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I helped a beginner find IC 2242 in Canes Venatici. It glowed, rather like dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I hunted for IC 548. It appeared to be nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests B 523 in Camelopardalis. It shimmered, as if it were Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I studied IC 3842. It seemed fainter than a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I hunted B 31. It would be easy to confuse with whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I had a chance to see Abell 79. It was a blurry likeness of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, I sketched IC 3626. It appeared at low power like the invisible man. Next, I located M 70 in Virgo. It reminded me of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band.
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 hunting with the Vice President.