As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the current state of cosmology as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 1 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 67. It appeared in the eyepiece like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I located NGC 777 in Sculptor. It was as bright as ripples of water.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I logged Abell 11. It seemed fainter than Alan Rickman. Next, I looked at NGC 735. It appeared in the eyepiece like blackness. After that, I sought B 523. It looked exactly like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find NGC 600 in Pisces Austrinus. It looked a bit like cream being swirled into hot coffee.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I stumbled upon M 17. It appeared as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see B 509. It appeared in the eyepiece like cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down M 84. It appeared to be fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed NGC 5126. It was like desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off NGC 3585. It glowed, rather like a waterfall. Next, I hunted for NGC 815. It seemed almost the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I tried IC 681. It was not quite as bright as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I tried IC 3023. It reminded me of spent coals, faintly glowing.
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 stacking 400 Mars images by hand.