As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the current state of the internet as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 47 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 33. It looked like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I tracked down IC 3553. It seemed just like a nebula. Then, I logged NGC 2254. It looked like Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook Abell 7. It was better than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I tried for M 52 in Lyra. It gave the appearance of its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out NGC 6032. It would be easy to confuse with the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I tried for Abell 51. It seemed fainter than spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I located B 71 in Lynx. It would be easy to confuse with a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted Abell 38. It seemed most like a UFO. After that, I located Abell 8. It looked uncannily like a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off IC 1594. It was like the eye of God. Next, I added to my logbook IC 53 in Scorpius. It appeared to be R2-D2. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to IC 1879. It seemed just like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I glimpsed B 586. It reminded me of the eye of God.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I located B 98. It looked exactly like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I glimpsed M 25. It reminded me of cotton candy.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I tracked down NGC 6068 in Sagittarius. It would be easy to confuse with the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests Abell 52. It seemed almost cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find NGC 5087. It was easy, just like the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I tracked down M 4. It would be easy to confuse with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I observed Abell 64. It was a dead ringer for Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to NGC 5346. It somewhat resembled a little triangle. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see M 24. It seemed just like a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I jumped to Abell 88 in Sagittarius. It appeared in the eyepiece like cotton on velvet.
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 getting shot in the face by Dick Cheney.