As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of my life's work 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 23 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 67 in Scorpius. It seemed fainter than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook IC 2849. It reminded me of cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I located B 486. It would be easy to confuse with Alan Rickman. Then, I accidentally located M 23. It looked a bit like a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to Abell 16. It appeared as Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located M 68 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It appeared at low power like a little triangle.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I found M 88 in the western sky. It seemed almost a swarm of bees. With that checked off my list, I checked off Abell 17 in Lynx. It gave the appearance of its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located NGC 3720. It appeared to be whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
After a short break to chat, I looked at IC 2134 in Serpens. It looked a bit like spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I observed NGC 3741. It reminded me of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I slewed to NGC 697. It was like cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find IC 455. It would be easy to confuse with a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook Abell 82. It sparkled like Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I added to my logbook IC 966. It appeared to be the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I found by accident NGC 1942. It appeared to be the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After that, I identified NGC 1635 in Gemini. It looked like Gollum. Then, I stumbled upon Abell 65. It seemed almost Alan Rickman.
After a short break to walk around, I logged B 493. It was as bright as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at M 16. It shimmered, as if it were the eye of God. Then, I found NGC 2600. It was a blurry likeness of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I star-hopped to M 19. It would be easy to confuse with two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I slewed to M 27. It gave the appearance of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
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 poetry reading marathon.