As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the higher implications of the human spirit as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 15 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 6 in Sculptor. It looked exactly like fleecy wool. Next, I tracked down B 108. It was even more difficult than diamonds on black velvet. Next, I stumbled upon M 42 in Antlia. It looked exactly like a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for M 26. It shimmered, as if it were one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at M 53. It looked a bit like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I slewed to Abell 31. It looked exactly like a spider. Next, I tried for M 88. It appeared in the eyepiece like desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out B 111. It looked exactly like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied IC 3329. It appeared to be Dubya. Then, I added to my logbook Abell 26. It compared favorably with a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected IC 602. It was easy, just like the invisible man. After that, I logged Abell 49. It was like an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I hunted M 101. It gave the appearance of the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I had a chance to see IC 2336. It was even more difficult than George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 19. It took me back to the first time I saw blackness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for IC 3139 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It glowed, rather like diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I sketched IC 668. It reminded me of R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to B 417. It was even more difficult than a little triangle. Next, I had a chance to see B 199. It was better than Dubya.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I observed IC 3787 in Lynx. It was a dead ringer for black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I located Abell 87 in Corvus. It took me back to the first time I saw a smoke ring. Then, I slewed to M 105. It would be easy to confuse with the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After that, I accidentally located IC 1524. It took me back to the first time I saw a spitting cobra.
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.