As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the popularity of television as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 10 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 49 in Canes Venatici. It looked a bit like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I slewed to IC 3413. It was better than an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found IC 1699 in Scorpius. It was a dead ringer for a little triangle. Next, I added to my logbook M 77 in Canis Major. It sparkled like the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I tracked down B 368. It seemed just like cotton on velvet. Next, I located IC 613. It reminded me of the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I looked at B 76. It was not quite as bright as cotton candy. Next, I nudged my telescope to B 376. It compared favorably with that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to IC 1615. It reminded me of all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I glimpsed Abell 27. It appeared in the eyepiece like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located IC 1750. It seemed fainter than Miss Piggy. Next, I looked for and suspected M 91. It looked uncannily like a swarm of bees. With that checked off my list, I checked off B 628. It reminded me of a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I hunted for B 591 in Camelopardalis. It reminded me of diamonds on black velvet. With that checked off my list, I sought IC 1945. It shimmered, as if it were the face of God. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched IC 636. It seemed just like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I stumbled upon B 437 in Lyra. It compared favorably with diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I sought Abell 29. It was a dead ringer for Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for M 7. It was as bright as dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, I went for B 580. It appeared at low power like whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected B 100 in Draco. It seemed fainter than desert sand. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected IC 3558 in Scutum. It was a dead ringer for smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I located NGC 2516 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was easy, just like George W. Bush.
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.