As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the morality of the energy crisis as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 2 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 4 in Lyra. It looked uncannily like an inflamed monkey butt. Next, I jumped to B 190. It looked like spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to M 73. It compared favorably with ripples of water. Next, I logged B 484 in Lepus. It looked exactly like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed Abell 71. It shimmered, as if it were Demi Moore.
After a short break to have a smoke, I looked for and suspected Abell 67. It reminded me of desert sand. With that checked off my list, I looked at IC 1019. It appeared in the eyepiece like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I tried B 479. It was a dead ringer for Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon IC 2799. It was like whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I looked at M 98. It reminded me of dancing elephants. Then, I had a chance to see B 73. It seemed most like dancing elephants.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I sketched M 88. It was like desert sand. With that checked off my list, I studied IC 2417 in Orion. It was even more difficult than its Hubble photograph. Then, I slewed to NGC 4981. It appeared as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon IC 2187 in the western sky. It reminded me of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
After a short break to do some yoga, I checked off Abell 73 in Pisces Austrinus. It was as bright as the eternal nothingness of being. Then, I hunted for Abell 81. It was even more difficult than black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched B 69. It was even more difficult than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed NGC 6511. It seemed fainter than a glimmer of the Big Bang.
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 stale peeps.