As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of Doonsbury as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 59 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 105. It was like the face of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon NGC 6075 in Perseus. It was not quite as bright as Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified NGC 6249. It reminded me of the face of God.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I found by accident NGC 2088. It seemed almost diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I identified IC 1878. It looked a bit like a smoke ring. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see M 2 in Canis Major. It sparkled like nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed Abell 85 in Lyra. It sparkled like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon IC 810. It compared favorably with whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located B 298. It shimmered, as if it were a swarm of bees.
After a short break to check my email, I star-hopped to B 321. It was a dead ringer for diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to Abell 10 in Perseus. It somewhat resembled a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried B 116 in Camelopardalis. It seemed almost a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to Abell 86. It was a dead ringer for ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I located M 49. It appeared as spent coals, faintly glowing.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I star-hopped to IC 2752. It was easy, just like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down Abell 74 in Scutum. It somewhat resembled its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to IC 2582. It gave the appearance of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I had a chance to see B 58 in Camelopardalis. It somewhat resembled whipped cream. After that, I accidentally located IC 1267 in Sculptor. It gave the appearance of Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I located B 80. It looked uncannily like cotton on velvet.
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 stacking 400 Mars images by hand.