As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of economic theory as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. 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 108. It was better than black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to Abell 91 in Sculptor. It seemed almost a swarm of bees. Next, I tried for NGC 1005. It compared favorably with a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 15. It glowed, rather like black pearls on flocked paper.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I slewed to B 412. It was a blurry likeness of lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at B 606. It reminded me of spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I sketched NGC 4948. It appeared at low power like nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I star-hopped to NGC 5691. It was not quite as bright as Demi Moore. Then, I identified M 109. It was not quite as bright as a waterfall. After that, I found by accident M 82. It seemed just like cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed M 6. It seemed fainter than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 8. It looked exactly like a little triangle.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I found B 190. It somewhat resembled a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, I went for NGC 4444. It shimmered, as if it were the eye of God.
After a short break to have a smoke, I star-hopped to B 321 in Perseus. It seemed fainter than all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I tried for NGC 1140. It seemed most like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I identified M 10 in Sagittarius. It reminded me of the face of God. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook B 539. It looked a bit like a little triangle.
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 fetid Dingo's kidneys.