As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of the energy crisis as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 5 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 96. It looked a bit like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I helped a beginner find IC 1260. It looked like a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected B 453. It reminded me of George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed Abell 83. It appeared in the eyepiece like a smoke ring. After that, I sketched NGC 6984 in Scutum. It glowed, rather like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After that, I found NGC 5368. It was easy, just like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed NGC 2686 in Serpens. It appeared in the eyepiece like Demi Moore. With that checked off my list, I checked off IC 3801. It was a dead ringer for Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see B 538. It reminded me of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests IC 3895. It appeared in the eyepiece like the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I helped a beginner find M 98. It was not quite as bright as a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I glimpsed Abell 51. It looked a bit like cotton candy. Then, I jumped to NGC 4625 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared as Miss Piggy. Then, I sketched M 84. It was better than a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon M 17. It reminded me of whipped cream. Then, I hunted NGC 1975. It was not quite as bright as a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident IC 2534. It would be easy to confuse with the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I identified NGC 6990. It reminded me of a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see Abell 93 in Triangulum. It was not quite as bright as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
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 root canal.