As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the inner workings of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 41 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 94. It appeared in the eyepiece like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I found B 180. It seemed almost a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I located Abell 91 in Scutum. It looked uncannily like the face of God. With that checked off my list, I hunted for M 56. It sparkled like a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down Abell 15. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy.
After a short break to do some yoga, I jumped to IC 102 in Scorpius. It seemed almost a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected IC 1821. It was easy, just like fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 62. It would be easy to confuse with its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I went for M 44. It was like cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident IC 3510. It appeared at low power like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. With that checked off my list, I jumped to Abell 56. It gave the appearance of black pearls on flocked paper. After that, I added to my logbook IC 722. It looked uncannily like a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at IC 3868 in Lepus. It appeared in the eyepiece like lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found NGC 2876. It took me back to the first time I saw its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out Abell 1. It seemed almost an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, I sketched IC 687 in Sagittarius. It was a blurry likeness of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located B 9. It was a dead ringer for Gollum. With that checked off my list, I hunted B 342. It was better than lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see NGC 2860 in Sculptor. It took me back to the first time I saw Alan Rickman.
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.