As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of my 401K as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 47 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 109 in Antlia. It was easy, just like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I tracked down B 561 in Perseus. It was a blurry likeness of George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to B 459. It appeared at low power like Demi Moore. Then, I sought Abell 68 in Lyra. It was not quite as bright as cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located B 152 in Camelopardalis. It was as bright as the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find M 92. It was better than the pillars of creation. Then, I slewed to M 73. It seemed almost smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I hunted NGC 5618. It sparkled like desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for M 44. It shimmered, as if it were two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I hunted for IC 3575 in Sagittarius. It was as bright as a spider. With that checked off my list, I checked off NGC 4025. It looked like Gollum. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off M 27. It reminded me of lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located Abell 41. It was like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to Abell 38 in Ophiuchus. It compared favorably with R2-D2. Then, I looked at Abell 72. It seemed most like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I located IC 3460. It compared favorably with blackness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located Abell 98. It appeared to be Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I sought IC 258. It looked uncannily like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I jumped to NGC 3518. It shimmered, as if it were a swarm of bees. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected NGC 5622 in Triangulum. It took me back to the first time I saw one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook NGC 1754. It would be easy to confuse with cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied Abell 17. It glowed, rather like George W. Bush. Then, I went for NGC 5624 in Canis Major. It was a dead ringer for dandruff on black satin pajamas.
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 being strapped naked to an anthill.