As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of astrology 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 38 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 22. It took me back to the first time I saw the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for Abell 48. It was like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried IC 2640. It was like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I sketched IC 3194. It was as bright as the face of God. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to IC 13. It was as bright as a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at M 61. It compared favorably with a spider. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 2802. It gave the appearance of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to B 229 in Gemini. It compared favorably with cotton candy. Then, I tried for NGC 5776 in Corvus. It gave the appearance of ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests Abell 86. It was like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I star-hopped to IC 268 in Lyra. It glowed, rather like a spider. Next, I observed IC 2263. It reminded me of cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located NGC 5533 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It somewhat resembled the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find NGC 3904. It looked uncannily like its Hubble photograph.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I slewed to B 553 in Triangulum. It appeared in the eyepiece like a cantilever bra. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident NGC 4527 in Orion. It looked exactly like the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for Abell 61. It was a dead ringer for dancing elephants. Next, I sought Abell 18 in Orion. It was not quite as bright as diamonds on light grey velvet.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.