As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of my 401K 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 50 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 41. It looked exactly like the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to Abell 73. It glowed, rather like diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to M 45. It reminded me of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, I identified B 61. It was as bright as desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected M 101. It appeared at low power like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find NGC 1933. It glowed, rather like black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located B 185. It reminded me of blackness. Next, I sought B 428 in Sculptor. It appeared as desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed M 75. It compared favorably with that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I showed some guests B 176. It gave the appearance of blackness. Then, I found Abell 92. It somewhat resembled Gollum. Then, I identified B 497. It was a blurry likeness of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I studied IC 2358. It seemed almost one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for M 37. It was easy, just like a glimmer of the Big Bang.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I hunted IC 79 in Fornax. It would be easy to confuse with Demi Moore. After that, I tracked down M 17 in Canes Venatici. It seemed just like fleecy wool.
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 ebola.