As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of my 401K 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 51 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 28 in Canis Major. It seemed fainter than Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I found by accident IC 1956 in Serpens. It was better than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I studied B 565 in Corvus. It seemed fainter than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 468. It was a dead ringer for smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find NGC 5306. It reminded me of a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon IC 2590. It seemed almost 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down Abell 6. It gave the appearance of a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I jumped to Abell 14. It was better than the eye of God. After that, I tracked down Abell 28. It appeared in the eyepiece like a spider. Then, I hunted for M 19. It gave the appearance of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, I tried for NGC 4386 in Gemini. It reminded me of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I glimpsed B 236. It sparkled like a little triangle.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I found B 391. It seemed almost a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident Abell 64. It looked exactly like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I accidentally located IC 1808 in Canes Venatici. It seemed most like a spider. Next, I went for Abell 30. It would be easy to confuse with the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook Abell 20 in Ursa Major. It looked uncannily like a smoke ring. Next, I sought IC 641. It seemed most like a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at Abell 56 in Septans. It appeared to be the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out B 508 in Canes Venatici. It took me back to the first time I saw whipped cream. Then, I slewed to B 131. It appeared as cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find M 87. It was easy, just like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 84. It seemed most like cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed Abell 20. It reminded me of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
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 sex.