As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the current implications of Dilbert 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 14 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 40 in Ursa Minor. It would be easy to confuse with lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests M 104. It would be easy to confuse with the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed NGC 1819 in Scutum. It seemed fainter than a whale spouting. With that checked off my list, I found IC 2008. It reminded me of a spider. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to Abell 87. It was a dead ringer for the pillars of creation. After that, I hunted Abell 73. It compared favorably with lumpy darkness. Then, I tracked down M 91. It seemed just like Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find NGC 2705 in Lyra. It was like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo.
After a short break to walk around, I went for IC 3919. It seemed just like a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 5. It somewhat resembled diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought Abell 34. It would be easy to confuse with an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off B 78 in Camelopardalis. It was a blurry likeness of the pillars of creation. Then, I hunted for NGC 849. It was not quite as bright as the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for Abell 84. It took me back to the first time I saw a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I found Abell 45 in the western sky. It was as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I added to my logbook NGC 5315. It seemed just like whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for Abell 86. It glowed, rather like a cantilever bra. Next, I had a chance to see NGC 509. It reminded me of Dubya. Next, I nudged my telescope to NGC 6314. It seemed most like a cantilever bra. After that, I stumbled upon Abell 38. It seemed almost the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After that, I tracked down B 477 in Triangulum. It looked a bit like Miss Piggy. After that, I looked for and suspected M 35. It appeared to be a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at B 373. It was easy, just like the eye of God. Then, I jumped to Abell 22. It seemed almost R2-D2.
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 phone sex.