As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of Doonsbury 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 13 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 3. It sparkled like whipped cream.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I checked out IC 1381 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was as bright as a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for M 69 in Ursa Major. It gave the appearance of an inflamed monkey butt. Next, I looked at B 489. It glowed, rather like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I found by accident M 94. It was a dead ringer for dandruff on black satin pajamas. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off M 70. It looked like Gollum. Next, I stumbled upon Abell 72. It took me back to the first time I saw a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I jumped to Abell 36. It appeared at low power like Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I hunted for Abell 43. It looked like a spitting cobra. Then, I observed NGC 3976. It shimmered, as if it were a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to M 88. It compared favorably with a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After that, I sought B 185. It appeared as a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to B 478 in Sagittarius. It was better than the pillars of creation. Then, I hunted for IC 614 in Fornax. It looked uncannily like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for M 59 in Canes Venatici. It appeared in the eyepiece like one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
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 ebola.