As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of economic theory 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 55 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 80. It appeared to be a smoke ring. Next, I jumped to B 621. It reminded me of whipped cream. Next, I observed M 81. It was as bright as cotton candy. After that, I studied NGC 4492 in Camelopardalis. It reminded me of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I sought Abell 16. It glowed, rather like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off Abell 66 in Scorpius. It sparkled like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see NGC 294 in Pisces Austrinus. It seemed most like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I looked for and suspected B 222. It looked a bit like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon NGC 4692 in Hydra. It looked a bit like a UFO. Next, I went for NGC 4581. It compared favorably with Gollum. Next, I checked off NGC 6801 in Gemini. It sparkled like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, I located B 648. It reminded me of whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I logged NGC 4116. It was better than an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
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 spending a day at the mall with my teenage daughter.