As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of the internet 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 57 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 84. It compared favorably with ripples of water.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I located Abell 93. It was not quite as bright as nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I stumbled upon M 63. It appeared to be a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted B 574. It appeared at low power like a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon B 620. It looked uncannily like dancing elephants. Then, I logged IC 23. It was as bright as Smokey the Bear. Next, I stumbled upon M 68. It would be easy to confuse with one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, I looked for and suspected M 103. It seemed just like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off B 598. It appeared as a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I showed some guests Abell 18 in Gemini. It seemed fainter than black pearls on flocked paper.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I slewed to NGC 1581. It somewhat resembled blackness.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I found M 26. It sparkled like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to B 306. It was like a cantilever bra.
After a short break to have a smoke, I hunted M 38 in Ursa Minor. It appeared at low power like Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to IC 1439 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It reminded me of a swarm of bees. Next, I studied M 71 in Septans. It gave the appearance of diamonds on black velvet. Next, I observed NGC 1427. It was a blurry likeness of diamonds on light grey velvet. After that, I studied B 529. It took me back to the first time I saw Santa Claus. Then, I jumped to IC 2436. It was as bright as the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I identified M 57. It reminded me of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed B 210 in Scutum. It gave the appearance of the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I located Abell 70. It reminded me of a spitting cobra. Next, I showed some guests B 102. It appeared in the eyepiece like an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I tried IC 2075. It looked exactly like 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 sitting in a dentist's waiting room.