As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of AP Refractors as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 26 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 22 in Antlia. It seemed most like dancing elephants. With that checked off my list, I studied NGC 2733 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It seemed most like diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I logged M 29 in Orion. It was as bright as whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I hunted for B 544. It compared favorably with diamonds on light grey velvet.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I found Abell 76 in Antlia. It glowed, rather like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out M 73. It compared favorably with desert sand.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I stumbled upon NGC 4394 in Lyra. It was even more difficult than spent coals, faintly glowing. With that checked off my list, I looked at M 65 in Ursa Major. It was not quite as bright as ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I tried Abell 56. It gave the appearance of lumpy darkness. Next, I found by accident NGC 2901 in Serpens. It gave the appearance of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
After a short break to do some yoga, I nudged my telescope to IC 3831. It sparkled like Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I slewed to IC 3165. It was a blurry likeness of a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for M 46. It reminded me of blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located IC 322 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It shimmered, as if it were the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident M 85. It was even more difficult than cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down IC 2993. It was as bright as all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I jumped to Abell 97. It was a dead ringer for cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for B 136. It glowed, rather like diamonds on light grey velvet.
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 being ravaged by savage wild wombats.