As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of AP Refractors as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 28 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 109. It was better than fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see B 318 in Sagittarius. It looked a bit like Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at B 454 in Ursa Major. It compared favorably with the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon IC 3746 in Virgo. It appeared as the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I tracked down Abell 88. It was like fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched B 4. It looked a bit like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted IC 2406. It appeared as an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located Abell 72 in Gemini. It was not quite as bright as R2-D2.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I checked out M 54. It looked like a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I logged B 6. It compared favorably with Smokey the Bear. After that, I identified NGC 5088 in Perseus. It somewhat resembled the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found IC 1563 in Ursa Major. It looked exactly like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I jumped to M 84. It sparkled like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied M 57. It reminded me of cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident IC 3989. It somewhat resembled Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted NGC 3997. It was a dead ringer for a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to Abell 23. It seemed fainter than diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find IC 1874. It appeared at low power like the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to B 378. It was not quite as bright as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I identified Abell 17. It looked like whipped cream.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I stumbled upon Abell 39 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It shimmered, as if it were an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
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.