As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of chaos theory as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 43 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 17. It appeared to be cotton candy. After that, I found by accident Abell 38. It was a blurry likeness of its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests M 67. It looked exactly like cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried Abell 49. It was easy, just like whipped cream. After that, I sketched NGC 4384 in Perseus. It appeared as the eternal nothingness of being.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I found IC 3726. It looked uncannily like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I located B 51. It reminded me of Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I found by accident M 54. It seemed just like dancing elephants. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried NGC 4855. It was not quite as bright as a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted NGC 3912. It reminded me of whipped cream.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I tried for NGC 4649 in Cygnus. It appeared at low power like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I found B 415. It reminded me of nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to B 531 in Gemini. It would be easy to confuse with dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find Abell 24. It appeared as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to B 16. It sparkled like spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried B 566. It glowed, rather like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I went for B 509. It appeared as diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I found B 287. It compared favorably with spent coals, faintly glowing.
After a short break to chat, I had a chance to see B 527. It was as bright as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
After a short break to do some yoga, I showed some guests M 79. It was as bright as cotton candy. After that, I studied M 109 in Draco. It gave the appearance of a glimmer of the Big Bang.
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 sitting in a dentist's waiting room.