As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of underwater basket weaving as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 53 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 30. It was as bright as the last six objects I'd seen. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located IC 474 in Ursa Minor. It was better than yet another globular. Then, I looked for and suspected NGC 3598. It was better than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to Abell 50. It gave the appearance of a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests B 317. It was like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to do some yoga, I checked off B 462. It was easy, just like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 41. It seemed almost a far-away cloud. Then, I jumped to NGC 4577 in Lynx. It compared favorably with blackness. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located NGC 6270. It appeared in the eyepiece like R2-D2. Then, I had a chance to see Abell 4. It reminded me of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I sketched M 32. It appeared at low power like the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located Abell 97. It looked a bit like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I found NGC 163. It appeared at low power like a far-away cloud. Then, I went for M 55 in Scutum. It sparkled like spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook M 9. It took me back to the first time I saw nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out NGC 6209 in Draco. It was even more difficult than whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I glimpsed IC 3130 in that confusing part of Virgo. It reminded me of a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I identified B 397. It would be easy to confuse with Demi Moore. Next, I found by accident IC 2758. It was easy, just like diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to Abell 96. It would be easy to confuse with dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find B 28. It was a dead ringer for the face of God.
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 night watching an I Love Lucy marathon on Nick at Night.