As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the popularity of Yahoo P/E ratios 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 2 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 105. It shimmered, as if it were one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I hunted IC 3043. It appeared at low power like Alan Rickman. Next, I logged M 38 in Perseus. It glowed, rather like a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I located IC 2511. It somewhat resembled Demi Moore. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to M 106. It sparkled like George W. Bush. Next, I tracked down IC 586. It looked like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I logged Abell 39 in Scorpius. It was a dead ringer for Gollum. Next, I added to my logbook NGC 1904. It took me back to the first time I saw a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off IC 1866. It was even more difficult than Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I sought NGC 667 in Lepus. It reminded me of Demi Moore. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident M 60 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was as bright as a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted NGC 218. It was like its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to M 7. It somewhat resembled Dubya. Then, I studied IC 1169. It seemed most like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 615 in Orion. It was easy, just like fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find M 38 in Perseus. It somewhat resembled cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I observed NGC 265. It was not quite as bright as a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted M 50. It seemed almost a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon B 163. It was not quite as bright as a spider. With that checked off my list, I found by accident NGC 844. It was not quite as bright as whipped cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off B 358. It sparkled like nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook IC 85 in Septans. It seemed most like George W. Bush.
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 reading Beowulf in Old English.