As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the deep impact of my 401K as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 0 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 82. It looked exactly like a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified M 107. It was easy, just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed B 566. It glowed, rather like nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I stumbled upon B 148. It seemed most like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I tried IC 1028. It looked uncannily like the invisible man. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 438 in Lyra. It was like a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see Abell 42. It compared favorably with the invisible man. Then, I looked at B 29. It was not quite as bright as Dubya. With that checked off my list, I tried IC 3078 in Scorpius. It compared favorably with the eye of God. Next, I looked at Abell 32. It looked a bit like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged Abell 48. It compared favorably with dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed B 118. It compared favorably with blackness. With that checked off my list, I hunted for Abell 42. It was easy, just like the pillars of creation. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down Abell 11 in Perseus. It glowed, rather like dancing elephants. Next, I tracked down NGC 3702. It sparkled like spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed M 86 in Corvus. It was easy, just like a spider.
After a short break to chat, I accidentally located NGC 2134 in Ursa Major. It was a dead ringer for a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to NGC 1901. It glowed, rather like fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to NGC 6212. It glowed, rather like Demi Moore. Next, I identified B 12. It was a blurry likeness of a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for IC 3087 in Triangulum. It seemed fainter than desert sand.
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 stale peeps.