As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of chaos theory 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 59 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 34 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It sparkled like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied IC 2227 in Serpens. It looked a bit like fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I hunted for M 89 in Scutum. It glowed, rather like diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I studied Abell 82. It shimmered, as if it were Dubya. With that checked off my list, I found by accident IC 1076. It took me back to the first time I saw the face of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to B 571. It seemed fainter than all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I looked at NGC 2461. It looked exactly like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find M 82. It was easy, just like R2-D2.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I located IC 3774. It reminded me of nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I identified B 221. It was a blurry likeness of spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I located IC 3422 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It sparkled like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I jumped to M 22. It reminded me of the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I identified M 55 in Ursa Minor. It was easy, just like yet another globular. Next, I found by accident Abell 26. It appeared in the eyepiece like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I found by accident NGC 1176 in Ursa Minor. It glowed, rather like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I sketched B 374. It was even more difficult than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I looked for and suspected B 606. It compared favorably with a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I had a chance to see B 113 in Fornax. It was like lumpy darkness. With that checked off my list, I sketched B 404. It glowed, rather like fleecy wool.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I observed B 284. It gave the appearance of dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I glimpsed NGC 6174. It somewhat resembled a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to Abell 25. It seemed fainter than the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I looked for and suspected B 544. It was better than cream being swirled into hot coffee.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.