As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the current implications of Norse mythology 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 20 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 95. It was like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I checked off B 381. It appeared at low power like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for Abell 45. It gave the appearance of a cantilever bra. After that, I jumped to NGC 3473 in Gemini. It was easy, just like nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook M 14. It reminded me of a nebula.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I located IC 2096 in Camelopardalis. It was as bright as whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, for a real challenge, I studied IC 2186. It seemed fainter than George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to NGC 5636. It would be easy to confuse with a far-away cloud. Then, I observed IC 691. It was a dead ringer for Gollum.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I hunted for NGC 4389 in Serpens. It appeared in the eyepiece like an inflamed monkey butt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook IC 532. It looked a bit like its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I checked off Abell 14 in Scorpius. It glowed, rather like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt.
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.