As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the current state of television as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 53 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 45. It sparkled like Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought Abell 7. It somewhat resembled a nebula. After that, I hunted NGC 340 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was easy, just like diamonds on light grey velvet.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I added to my logbook NGC 3459. It was like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I found by accident B 261. It looked exactly like a little triangle. After that, I sketched B 612 in Virgo. It seemed just like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
After a short break to do some yoga, I star-hopped to M 42 in Sculptor. It looked like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
After a short break to chat, I added to my logbook Abell 23. It was a blurry likeness of yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed B 119 in Serpens. It was better than black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests Abell 60 in Antlia. It looked a bit like its Hubble photograph. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out IC 1007. It was easy, just like Alan Rickman. Next, I looked at Abell 24 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared in the eyepiece like a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook M 2 in Corvus. It was easy, just like a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off Abell 5 in Fornax. It looked uncannily like the eternal nothingness of being.
After a short break to chat, I had a chance to see M 90. It somewhat resembled George W. Bush. After that, I stumbled upon M 11 in Perseus. It shimmered, as if it were Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I tracked down NGC 1209 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared at low power like the invisible man. After that, I tried for M 48 in that confusing part of Virgo. It seemed most like the invisible man.
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 hunting with the Vice President.