As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the current implications of economic theory as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 41 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 58 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was a dead ringer for a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I showed some guests Abell 36 in Sagittarius. It sparkled like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted Abell 45. It appeared at low power like the eternal nothingness of being.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I checked off IC 3131. It looked a bit like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at IC 1142. It appeared at low power like George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to IC 1066 in Antlia. It reminded me of Santa Claus. Next, I studied Abell 58. It looked a bit like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, I nudged my telescope to IC 2540 in Triangulum. It seemed almost a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I slewed to B 290 in Lynx. It looked like George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I hunted for NGC 4169. It appeared as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down B 452. It seemed fainter than a swarm of bees. With that checked off my list, I found NGC 6246 in Lyra. It compared favorably with one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I slewed to NGC 6974. It seemed fainter than nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I looked at Abell 70 in Gemini. It seemed most like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located NGC 1260. It somewhat resembled the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I observed B 259. It sparkled like a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I sketched IC 2172 in Camelopardalis. It reminded me of a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I studied NGC 2349. It appeared at low power like cotton candy.
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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.