As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the current implications of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 44 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 9. It was as bright as a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I observed NGC 4005. It was not quite as bright as a spider. Next, I looked for and suspected IC 3487 in Sculptor. It gave the appearance of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at Abell 65. It gave the appearance of diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located B 204. It compared favorably with a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I studied NGC 5776. It appeared to be a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After that, I tracked down NGC 3348. It seemed just like its Hubble photograph. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for IC 75. It would be easy to confuse with dancing elephants. With that checked off my list, I found M 63. It looked exactly like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I went for NGC 24. It was a dead ringer for a smoke ring. After that, I had a chance to see M 38. It appeared in the eyepiece like ripples of water. Then, I identified Abell 48 in Ursa Major. It looked a bit like desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off IC 2952. It looked exactly like a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I studied NGC 1926. It was not quite as bright as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I star-hopped to IC 1600. It was as bright as Alan Rickman. Next, I accidentally located B 519 in Camelopardalis. It was a blurry likeness of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I glimpsed M 66. It would be easy to confuse with the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to B 504. It sparkled like the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I sketched NGC 1570. It looked like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I accidentally located M 109 in Sculptor. It was like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I observed M 50 in Ursa Major. It looked exactly like ripples of water. Next, I hunted for Abell 58. It somewhat resembled one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, I found by accident B 534. It seemed most like yet another globular. With that checked off my list, I studied M 72. It compared favorably with desert sand.
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 sex.