As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the inner workings of astrology as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 46 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 102. It was as bright as fleecy wool. Next, I helped a beginner find B 409. It would be easy to confuse with Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I hunted Abell 39 in Lepus. It glowed, rather like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for NGC 351. It reminded me of nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I sought IC 1265. It was a dead ringer for dancing elephants. Then, I found IC 3016. It seemed most like spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I hunted B 558. It took me back to the first time I saw a spider. Then, I glimpsed NGC 1645 in Draco. It seemed almost a far-away cloud. Then, I hunted for Abell 69. It looked like Gollum. Then, I hunted Abell 8. It seemed fainter than the eye of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought IC 1958 in Cygnus. It glowed, rather like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, I sketched Abell 40. It appeared as fleecy wool.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I had a chance to see IC 1028. It was a dead ringer for black pearls on flocked paper.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I looked at B 490. It was as bright as Alan Rickman. Then, I helped a beginner find NGC 2350. It was a blurry likeness of a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for IC 3980. It appeared as cotton on velvet. After that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 6939 in Ursa Minor. It shimmered, as if it were a UFO. After that, I jumped to M 50 in Lyra. It reminded me of Miss Piggy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to IC 1270. It looked uncannily like Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I sketched IC 2464. It somewhat resembled cotton candy.
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.