As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the popularity of tight underwear 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 30 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 57. It looked like spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook Abell 42 in Serpens. It was a dead ringer for a swarm of bees. Next, I slewed to Abell 7. It was even more difficult than all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to NGC 4892. It gave the appearance of blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident B 389. It appeared as Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find M 5. It was easy, just like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to IC 870. It appeared in the eyepiece like dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I looked for and suspected Abell 20. It seemed most like Gollum. Then, I had a chance to see Abell 32. It reminded me of desert sand. Then, I sketched M 16 in Draco. It compared favorably with that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I located Abell 93. It was a dead ringer for a waterfall.
After a short break to chat, I glimpsed M 102. It gave the appearance of spent coals, faintly glowing. With that checked off my list, I located B 297. It seemed fainter than a cantilever bra. Then, I slewed to NGC 6472. It was a blurry likeness of Smokey the Bear. After that, I found by accident M 46 in Camelopardalis. It appeared as a whale spouting.
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 hunting with the Vice President.