As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of the energy crisis as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 53 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 75. It appeared to be a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed B 284 in Corvus. It seemed almost diamonds on black velvet. Next, I hunted for NGC 493. It seemed fainter than 60 grit carborundum on asphalt.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I sought NGC 881. It glowed, rather like nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see B 267. It looked exactly like the face of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at M 17. It looked a bit like a spider. After that, I jumped to B 330 in Lyra. It appeared as the eye of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for B 567 in Sculptor. It was not quite as bright as Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for NGC 4457. It somewhat resembled spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon NGC 6459 in Canes Venatici. It appeared to be that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to M 101. It was easy, just like a waterfall. Next, I tracked down B 175 in Serpens. It sparkled like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I tracked down B 600 in Virgo. It seemed just like the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I looked at B 572. It gave the appearance of the eye of God. Next, I observed B 53 in Draco. It compared favorably with blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried B 52 in Septans. It appeared to be Dubya.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I logged B 457. It was better than all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I added to my logbook NGC 2054 in Pisces Austrinus. It was better than yet another globular. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to IC 3471. It appeared as fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down IC 3910 in Sculptor. It gave the appearance of an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to check my email, I slewed to NGC 6744. It seemed most like a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for IC 2669 in Serpens. It was easy, just like the pillars of creation.
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 spending a day at the mall with my teenage daughter.