As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the study of astrology 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 29 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 36. It seemed just like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at IC 1751 in Lyra. It glowed, rather like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, I logged M 91. It reminded me of the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed B 606 in Virgo. It appeared to be diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon NGC 558 in Virgo. It seemed just like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to M 56 in Orion. It seemed just like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I hunted NGC 3171. It would be easy to confuse with two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located M 66 in Canes Venatici. It appeared in the eyepiece like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find Abell 91 in Canis Major. It somewhat resembled its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to Abell 52. It compared favorably with the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to NGC 682. It sparkled like a nebula. After that, I jumped to NGC 3235 in that confusing part of Virgo. It took me back to the first time I saw a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I logged Abell 25. It looked exactly like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I checked off M 35. It was not quite as bright as diamonds on light grey velvet. After that, I accidentally located IC 945. It glowed, rather like fleecy wool. Then, I sketched IC 2591. It looked like fleecy wool. Then, I sketched Abell 39. It was even more difficult than the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I tried for Abell 78 in the western sky. It took me back to the first time I saw a nebula. Next, I looked for and suspected Abell 14. It seemed fainter than all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to B 262 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It gave the appearance of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified NGC 5293. It seemed most like an inflamed monkey butt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to B 492. It appeared to be the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I slewed to B 54. It looked uncannily like Gollum. With that checked off my list, I studied IC 284. It glowed, rather like spent coals, faintly glowing.
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 being ravaged by savage wild wombats.