As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the morality 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 54 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 50 in Camelopardalis. It reminded me of the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I studied B 89. It compared favorably with its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to Abell 85. It seemed fainter than Gollum. After that, I sought B 369 in Corvus. It reminded me of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected M 7. It somewhat resembled all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I tracked down NGC 3987. It reminded me of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I looked for and suspected B 373 in Fornax. It glowed, rather like its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I tried B 153. It seemed most like diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests IC 2819 in Antlia. It compared favorably with Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 9 in Corvus. It appeared in the eyepiece like cotton on velvet.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I sought NGC 6716 in Cygnus. It looked exactly like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I jumped to B 122. It looked uncannily like the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for Abell 41. It seemed just like ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off B 576. It compared favorably with the face of God. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find Abell 36 in Scorpius. It appeared to be a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located NGC 2846 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared in the eyepiece like a far-away cloud. Then, I nudged my telescope to B 29. It looked uncannily like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I located NGC 2341. It looked like the eye of God. Then, I looked at M 52. It looked like all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
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 a State of the Union address.