As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the deep impact of world hunger as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 44 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 73 in that confusing part of Virgo. It looked like black pearls on flocked paper.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I slewed to Abell 38. It compared favorably with whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I logged Abell 18. It compared favorably with Santa Claus. Then, I studied IC 3545 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared in the eyepiece like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I added to my logbook Abell 76. It looked like a swarm of bees. After that, I sketched M 92. It looked exactly like dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I accidentally located NGC 2364. It was not quite as bright as the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried M 89. It seemed just like George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I went for Abell 21. It appeared at low power like a UFO. Then, I checked out NGC 6656. It seemed just like black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for M 44. It glowed, rather like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I looked for and suspected NGC 3390. It compared favorably with a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed IC 3943. It was like a spitting cobra.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I tracked down IC 1885. It somewhat resembled a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I tried for B 424. It was better than the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I jumped to B 551. It seemed fainter than desert sand. With that checked off my list, I looked at Abell 54. It seemed most like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I tracked down Abell 53. It somewhat resembled a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find B 78 in Lyra. It reminded me of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I sketched B 420. It was like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to do some yoga, I sketched M 79. It glowed, rather like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed B 342. It sparkled like yet another globular.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I identified M 54. It looked like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
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 sitting in a dentist's waiting room.