As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the inner workings of AP Refractors as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 55 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 67 in Cygnus. It was better than two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found M 71 in Camelopardalis. It shimmered, as if it were a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to IC 2815 in Serpens. It was easy, just like the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests Abell 41. It was as bright as the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off M 57 in Ursa Minor. It appeared at low power like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I hunted for B 181 in Ursa Major. It was as bright as an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I had a chance to see M 90. It seemed most like a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to B 292. It looked a bit like the eye of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon M 5. It was a blurry likeness of the clouds I'd seen earlier.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I identified B 158. It looked a bit like cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted Abell 76. It was better than Gollum. Then, I located NGC 5356. It looked a bit like ripples of water. Then, I tried NGC 3815. It gave the appearance of a nebula. With that checked off my list, I slewed to NGC 3808. It sparkled like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I hunted for IC 49. It seemed most like the face of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests IC 434. It sparkled like Dubya.
After a short break to chat, I identified M 48. It reminded me of a spitting cobra. After that, I glimpsed B 77. It seemed just like a spider. Then, I accidentally located M 89. It looked like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to Abell 57. It reminded me of diamonds on black velvet. Then, I stumbled upon Abell 96 in Canes Venatici. It compared favorably with the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to M 88. It somewhat resembled smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged M 42. It seemed just like R2-D2.
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 hunting with the Vice President.