As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the popularity of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 10 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 52. It looked a bit like its Hubble photograph. After that, I located M 83. It sparkled like Alan Rickman. Then, I found M 34. It appeared as Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out M 16. It was easy, just like dancing elephants. Next, I found by accident M 84. It was like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I jumped to Abell 54 in Scorpius. It was a blurry likeness of the eye of God. Then, I looked at NGC 4654 in Canis Major. It appeared to be two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought Abell 58. It was like cotton on velvet. Next, I looked at NGC 415. It compared favorably with cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to B 340. It was not quite as bright as a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find Abell 55. It was as bright as nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I found Abell 45 in Hydra. It somewhat resembled fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests B 299. It was not quite as bright as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I tried for Abell 25 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It appeared to be the eternal nothingness of being. Then, I tried IC 3277 in Corvus. It gave the appearance of the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located Abell 73. It shimmered, as if it were R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed B 132 in Lyra. It somewhat resembled Santa Claus.
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 a poetry reading marathon.