As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the study of AP Refractors 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 3 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 9. It was better than a little triangle. After that, I showed some guests M 47. It seemed just like ripples of water. After that, I stumbled upon IC 3791. It sparkled like Alan Rickman. Next, I added to my logbook B 618. It gave the appearance of Santa Claus. After that, I tracked down B 408. It reminded me of black pearls on flocked paper.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I tried for M 30. It seemed most like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I stumbled upon Abell 15 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It shimmered, as if it were Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched M 67. It reminded me of R2-D2. Then, I star-hopped to NGC 3700. It looked uncannily like desert sand. After that, I sketched IC 834 in Hydra. It seemed fainter than its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted IC 624 in Sagittarius. It seemed fainter than an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 598. It was not quite as bright as 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I hunted for IC 2313. It was a dead ringer for a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified M 109 in Canes Venatici. It compared favorably with 60 grit carborundum on asphalt.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I looked at Abell 28 in Scorpius. It was even more difficult than 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I accidentally located NGC 2927 in Ursa Major. It looked uncannily like a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to B 576. It looked uncannily like the eye of God. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for B 397. It appeared as a little triangle.
After a short break to chat, I logged B 11. It reminded me of the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I tried Abell 87. It appeared in the eyepiece like desert sand.
After a short break to check my email, I tracked down NGC 4335 in Lyra. It shimmered, as if it were an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I stumbled upon M 83. It would be easy to confuse with the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I helped a beginner find Abell 52 in Hydra. It took me back to the first time I saw desert sand.
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 ebola.