As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the study of economic theory as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 29 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 46. It sparkled like whipped cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to B 213 in Ursa Minor. It reminded me of a spider. Next, I looked at NGC 6115 in Antlia. It looked like blackness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for Abell 5 in Camelopardalis. It shimmered, as if it were an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at M 1 in Serpens. It shimmered, as if it were the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I identified IC 3980 in that confusing part of Virgo. It reminded me of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched NGC 444. It appeared at low power like a little triangle. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon M 19. It glowed, rather like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I found IC 3785. It was not quite as bright as lumpy darkness. Then, I tried B 637. It was a dead ringer for spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I sought NGC 5835. It shimmered, as if it were the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to B 285 in Lynx. It seemed just like a nebula. After that, I looked at NGC 4829 in Perseus. It reminded me of the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed Abell 67 in Ophiuchus. It would be easy to confuse with the pillars of creation. Then, I stumbled upon M 78. It shimmered, as if it were smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I hunted NGC 1441 in Orion. It shimmered, as if it were ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched B 557. It shimmered, as if it were R2-D2.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I logged IC 1256 in Triangulum. It was better than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I looked at M 108. It took me back to the first time I saw cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for M 44 in Antlia. It was better than lumpy darkness. Next, I tracked down M 71. It seemed just like the eternal nothingness of being.
After a short break to have a smoke, I observed Abell 29. It was a dead ringer for fleecy wool. After that, I showed some guests B 348. It was easy, just like Smokey the Bear. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried B 221. It shimmered, as if it were one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.