As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the insignificance of Yahoo P/E ratios 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 8 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 6. It was like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I looked for and suspected B 213. It appeared at low power like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I slewed to IC 1821 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared to be the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I hunted for M 74. It somewhat resembled black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located M 102. It was not quite as bright as diamonds on black velvet. After that, I checked off IC 3649. It seemed just like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I nudged my telescope to IC 2713. It compared favorably with an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I showed some guests NGC 1022. It looked a bit like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed B 450. It seemed almost a smoke ring.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I studied NGC 4534. It was a blurry likeness of one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed M 39 in Lyra. It was better than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon M 23. It compared favorably with a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I sought B 585. It appeared at low power like cotton on velvet.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I went for Abell 16. It appeared to be all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 3638. It glowed, rather like a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to IC 1820 in Virgo. It appeared to be all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
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 night watching an I Love Lucy marathon on Nick at Night.