As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the current implications of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 46 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 106. It looked uncannily like blackness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook NGC 1638 in Lyra. It would be easy to confuse with a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to M 66. It glowed, rather like whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I observed M 52. It was a dead ringer for Demi Moore. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified Abell 5 in Ursa Minor. It compared favorably with that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I sought Abell 98. It shimmered, as if it were the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I added to my logbook IC 757. It sparkled like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at B 174. It reminded me of lumpy darkness.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I hunted NGC 1402 in Canes Venatici. It glowed, rather like fleecy wool. After that, I found by accident Abell 20. It glowed, rather like Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I located IC 555. It was as bright as fleecy wool. Then, I tried M 70. It seemed almost desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see B 39. It sparkled like George W. Bush. Then, I hunted M 91. It was even more difficult than one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I tried for Abell 69. It was better than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I tried for Abell 61. It sparkled like a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon B 394. It glowed, rather like a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon NGC 1323. It seemed most like a spitting cobra. After that, I sought Abell 85 in Lynx. It looked exactly like the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to NGC 3684 in Ophiuchus. It looked a bit like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon M 18 in Camelopardalis. It shimmered, as if it were Alan Rickman. After that, I tracked down IC 3795. It appeared to be a smoke ring.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.