As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the current implications of the internet as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 44 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 92. It seemed just like Demi Moore. Next, I star-hopped to B 54. It appeared at low power like blackness. With that checked off my list, I sought NGC 5275 in Scutum. It seemed most like an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed IC 1653. It seemed just like cotton candy. Next, I jumped to NGC 60. It looked uncannily like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I tried for IC 3171. It shimmered, as if it were desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought IC 3672. It reminded me of Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed B 34. It seemed most like Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located B 289 in the western sky. It appeared to be Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted M 6. It was a dead ringer for the eye of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off NGC 4039 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It looked exactly like dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out NGC 4234. It was not quite as bright as its Hubble photograph. After that, I had a chance to see M 70. It appeared as George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought NGC 1148. It reminded me of lumpy darkness. With that checked off my list, I jumped to M 44 in Cygnus. It was a blurry likeness of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 85. It was not quite as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out M 101 in Sculptor. It appeared in the eyepiece like R2-D2.
After a short break to do some yoga, I slewed to Abell 39. It sparkled like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I star-hopped to Abell 18. It gave the appearance of whipped cream. Then, I helped a beginner find M 19. It seemed just like a whale spouting.
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 phone sex.