As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the inner workings of cosmology as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 23 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 6. It appeared to be one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out M 47. It was as bright as dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I hunted for Abell 59. It shimmered, as if it were the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I located IC 2782 in Serpens. It reminded me of George W. Bush. Next, I logged M 92. It looked exactly like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests Abell 43 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It would be easy to confuse with a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon Abell 15. It shimmered, as if it were whipped cream. Next, I nudged my telescope to M 59. It reminded me of Demi Moore. With that checked off my list, I observed IC 70. It looked like cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I identified M 5 in Camelopardalis. It was even more difficult than Smokey the Bear. Next, I sketched NGC 3519 in Triangulum. It sparkled like desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried NGC 63. It took me back to the first time I saw cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident NGC 1457. It took me back to the first time I saw a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see M 42. It took me back to the first time I saw Dubya. Next, I jumped to NGC 2887. It reminded me of a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out M 10. It was a dead ringer for a spider.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I sketched B 296 in Hydra. It was not quite as bright as diamonds on black velvet. After that, I found by accident M 106. It looked exactly like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find Abell 74 in Serpens. It shimmered, as if it were a spider. Next, I added to my logbook NGC 3978 in Ursa Minor. It seemed most like black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I hunted for Abell 63. It appeared in the eyepiece like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon M 35. It reminded me of 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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.