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 this Pale Blue Dot we call home 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 50 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 59 in Corvus. It took me back to the first time I saw Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I found B 621. It looked exactly like a far-away cloud. After that, I looked at Abell 75. It compared favorably with spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I found B 66. It appeared in the eyepiece like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought NGC 6997. It was a blurry likeness of cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook IC 3801 in Scorpius. It seemed almost diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to NGC 4864 in Canis Major. It appeared in the eyepiece like diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought M 77. It seemed most like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to IC 290 in Fornax. It looked uncannily like whipped cream. Next, I added to my logbook NGC 4193. It was even more difficult than Dubya. Then, I stumbled upon IC 3229 in Scutum. It would be easy to confuse with Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I tried for B 96 in Ophiuchus. It reminded me of the clouds I'd seen earlier.
After a short break to have a smoke, I star-hopped to M 34 in Hydra. It shimmered, as if it were a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at M 89 in Camelopardalis. It seemed just like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I found IC 102. It was even more difficult than whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.