As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the higher implications of the energy crisis as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 46 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 98. It looked like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook B 47 in Ursa Minor. It took me back to the first time I saw whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I hunted M 110. It seemed fainter than the invisible man. Next, I looked for and suspected IC 1728. It reminded me of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I nudged my telescope to M 56 in Perseus. It looked a bit like the eye of God. After that, I looked for and suspected Abell 56. It appeared as Alan Rickman. Then, I jumped to B 26. It was as bright as ripples of water. Next, I found NGC 6415. It was better than the face of God. After that, I found by accident M 15 in Scorpius. It appeared in the eyepiece like the invisible man. Then, I showed some guests Abell 25 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It looked uncannily like a nebula. With that checked off my list, I checked off IC 1977. It was like lumpy darkness. After that, I showed some guests IC 1709 in Draco. It gave the appearance of its Hubble photograph. After that, I slewed to B 566. It glowed, rather like ripples of water. Next, I added to my logbook Abell 73. It reminded me of a cantilever bra. Next, I identified Abell 49. It was even more difficult than black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I looked for and suspected B 25. It seemed just like black pearls on flocked paper. After that, I jumped to NGC 4461. It compared favorably with the face of God.
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 reading observing reports.