As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of Doonsbury as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 27 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 64. It somewhat resembled Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I hunted for NGC 4497 in Scorpius. It looked uncannily like the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to B 511. It appeared in the eyepiece like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook NGC 533. It was better than nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I hunted for NGC 5936. It was a dead ringer for fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I hunted IC 2387. It was even more difficult than a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to M 87. It was a dead ringer for a cantilever bra. Then, I checked out NGC 1285. It reminded me of whipped cream. After that, I observed B 486. It appeared in the eyepiece like a cantilever bra. After that, I looked for and suspected NGC 3474. It reminded me of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off Abell 89 in Fornax. It seemed just like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for M 8. It took me back to the first time I saw smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I tried M 100 in Ursa Minor. It looked uncannily like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I looked at NGC 3389. It was a blurry likeness of a cantilever bra. After that, I showed some guests B 170 in Cygnus. It shimmered, as if it were Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I tracked down IC 1689. It gave the appearance of Alan Rickman. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed B 42 in Camelopardalis. It was easy, just like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located B 309 in Ursa Minor. It seemed just like a swarm of bees. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off M 42. It seemed just like a smoke ring. Then, I found by accident M 37 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was not quite as bright as cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests B 520 in Virgo. It somewhat resembled Demi Moore. After that, I went for IC 3621. It appeared at low power 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 reading Beowulf in Old English.