As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the popularity of the universe as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 21 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 25. It was not quite as bright as ripples of water. Then, I stumbled upon M 104. It seemed most like fleecy wool. Next, I found NGC 6336. It somewhat resembled an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I tracked down NGC 1944 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was not quite as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing. With that checked off my list, I hunted for IC 479 in Lyra. It was a blurry likeness of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I slewed to NGC 4491 in Scorpius. It was as bright as nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I helped a beginner find B 556 in Ursa Minor. It seemed just like Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I identified NGC 6326. It appeared to be the pillars of creation. After that, I star-hopped to B 275. It would be easy to confuse with two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests M 101. It was easy, just like cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon IC 2382. It was like a spider.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I slewed to IC 563. It looked exactly like the pillars of creation. After that, I showed some guests M 39. It looked uncannily like a cantilever bra. Next, I hunted for IC 935. It was like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I helped a beginner find M 2 in Orion. It seemed almost smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to IC 780. It appeared as the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see Abell 14. It was not quite as bright as whipped cream. Then, I checked off Abell 4. It was even more difficult than Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I studied B 279 in Serpens. It reminded me of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I logged IC 3327 in Lynx. It seemed just like Dubya.
After a short break to do some yoga, I glimpsed B 583. It compared favorably with fleecy wool.
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 24-hour 007 marathon.