As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the deep impact of my life's work as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 28 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 23. It seemed almost the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I located Abell 96 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It appeared to be Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon NGC 3525 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It took me back to the first time I saw a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted IC 1605 in Ophiuchus. It sparkled like Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to NGC 4337 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It reminded me of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off Abell 16. It reminded me of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to IC 1729 in Canes Venatici. It somewhat resembled Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I tracked down M 104 in the western sky. It looked a bit like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, I slewed to B 61. It was even more difficult than Dubya. Then, I tried for Abell 52 in Ursa Minor. It seemed just like Gollum.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I checked out M 36. It was a dead ringer for Gollum. Next, I hunted Abell 98. It seemed most like whipped cream. Next, I star-hopped to Abell 43. It looked uncannily like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at NGC 5780 in Septans. It looked a bit like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I hunted for Abell 64. It seemed just like nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I tried for M 89. It was a blurry likeness of ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon NGC 1426. It shimmered, as if it were that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to NGC 2945. It glowed, rather like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to NGC 6562. It somewhat resembled 60 grit carborundum on asphalt.
After a short break to do some yoga, I nudged my telescope to Abell 99 in Sculptor. It reminded me of a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out M 48. It was as bright as nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I tried NGC 4922 in Lyra. It was not quite as bright as a UFO. Next, I nudged my telescope to M 24. It seemed almost whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to M 62. It was a dead ringer for black pearls on flocked paper.
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 a hot poker rammed up your nose.