As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of the universe as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 34 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 23. It took me back to the first time I saw a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for M 45. It was a dead ringer for two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I identified M 50 in the western sky. It looked like fleecy wool. After that, I accidentally located M 41 in Pisces Austrinus. It somewhat resembled a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon M 109. It appeared to be a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident Abell 21. It appeared as a whale spouting. After that, I nudged my telescope to B 488. It was like desert sand.
After a short break to chat, I hunted for M 19. It looked exactly like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, I went for M 39. It appeared at low power like dancing elephants. After that, I had a chance to see Abell 24. It looked uncannily like a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied IC 269. It seemed fainter than Miss Piggy. Next, I glimpsed NGC 5542 in Ursa Minor. It was like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I looked for and suspected M 36. It took me back to the first time I saw Gollum. With that checked off my list, I found Abell 69. It seemed most like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I sketched M 102 in Canis Major. It shimmered, as if it were smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, I sketched NGC 6126. It compared favorably with diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to B 619. It shimmered, as if it were cream being swirled into hot coffee.
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 phone sex.