As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the study of my 401K as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 14 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 67 in Gemini. It appeared as Smokey the Bear. Next, I stumbled upon IC 1530. It seemed most like black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I observed Abell 39 in Hydra. It was easy, just like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched NGC 5146. It glowed, rather like blackness. With that checked off my list, I tried M 38. It looked uncannily like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I tried for M 28. It was not quite as bright as a smoke ring. Then, I found by accident NGC 4471. It seemed fainter than desert sand. Next, I logged Abell 90 in Virgo. It would be easy to confuse with R2-D2. Next, I star-hopped to B 470. It was like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I added to my logbook Abell 2 in Draco. It was a dead ringer for that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off Abell 84 in Canes Venatici. It was not quite as bright as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected Abell 57. It was not quite as bright as the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I sought M 46. It appeared in the eyepiece like a smoke ring. With that checked off my list, I checked out B 404. It appeared at low power like a far-away cloud. Next, I tried Abell 20 in Septans. It appeared in the eyepiece like the invisible man. After that, I found by accident NGC 1726. It was even more difficult than R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I tried M 78. It appeared as blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to IC 1693. It reminded me of Gollum. After that, I had a chance to see Abell 54. It was as bright as yet another globular. Then, I hunted NGC 6842. It shimmered, as if it were a spitting cobra. Next, I studied NGC 5981 in Lepus. It reminded me of Gollum.
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 cleaning the bathroom.