As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of this Pale Blue Dot we call home 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 24 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 24. It reminded me of spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I had a chance to see Abell 6. It appeared to be ripples of water. Next, I logged NGC 6477. It appeared to be whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I added to my logbook Abell 72. It would be easy to confuse with cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find M 49. It glowed, rather like a smoke ring. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied IC 2656 in Lepus. It appeared in the eyepiece like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down B 514. It took me back to the first time I saw the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged Abell 83. It seemed fainter than Alan Rickman. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook B 71. It compared favorably with cotton candy. After that, I tracked down NGC 6289. It sparkled like desert sand. After that, I jumped to Abell 24. It reminded me of diamonds on black velvet. Next, I looked for and suspected NGC 411 in the western sky. It was like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted B 451. It gave the appearance of fleecy wool. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to Abell 46 in Antlia. It looked a bit like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted Abell 62. It took me back to the first time I saw Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I hunted B 242. It looked exactly like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I showed some guests M 46 in Ursa Minor. It sparkled like dandruff on black satin pajamas. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for B 543. It seemed most like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I looked for and suspected IC 3 in Ursa Minor. It was not quite as bright as Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried B 525 in Camelopardalis. It gave the appearance of the face of God.
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 Segmentation fault (core dumped).