As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the deep impact of astrology as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 34 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 3 in the western sky. It seemed fainter than the face of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched Abell 33. It was a blurry likeness of Smokey the Bear. After that, I had a chance to see NGC 1412. It seemed most like whipped cream. After that, I checked out NGC 4807. It looked like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to B 447. It reminded me of dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, for a real challenge, I went for NGC 4451. It appeared to be cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I sought Abell 91. It seemed almost ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down M 31 in Scorpius. It shimmered, as if it were a UFO. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 94. It took me back to the first time I saw a swarm of bees.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I hunted IC 2024. It somewhat resembled a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I star-hopped to IC 3866 in Scorpius. It looked a bit like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, I identified NGC 2472. It appeared as the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 26. It looked a bit like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to IC 212 in Virgo. It appeared in the eyepiece like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed IC 3634. It looked a bit like a swarm of bees.
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 poetry reading marathon.