As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of the universe 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 10 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 64. It gave the appearance of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, I accidentally located Abell 61. It was a dead ringer for diamonds on black velvet. Next, I hunted for B 246 in the western sky. It reminded me of the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After that, I checked off B 279. It somewhat resembled a UFO.
After a short break to walk around, I tracked down NGC 5223. It appeared in the eyepiece like diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified B 130 in the western sky. It was a blurry likeness of a smoke ring. After that, I looked for and suspected B 38. It somewhat resembled spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I added to my logbook B 356. It was as bright as the invisible man. After that, I sought IC 2474 in Antlia. It was like blackness. With that checked off my list, I observed NGC 5098 in the western sky. It appeared as an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I found by accident IC 1022. It looked uncannily like cotton candy. Then, I slewed to M 78. It seemed just like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I found by accident NGC 1240. It looked exactly like a whale spouting. With that checked off my list, I looked at Abell 20 in Canis Major. It was not quite as bright as 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 spending a day at the mall with my teenage daughter.