As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the popularity of cosmology as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 29 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 26. It shimmered, as if it were R2-D2. Then, I checked out Abell 25. It appeared as R2-D2. Then, I identified Abell 59. It gave the appearance of a little triangle. After that, I observed Abell 78 in Lepus. It seemed almost a glimmer of the Big Bang.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I tried M 57. It was even more difficult than a nebula. With that checked off my list, I jumped to M 23. It was even more difficult than a far-away cloud. After that, I hunted M 35. It reminded me of cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I went for B 351. It compared favorably with Demi Moore.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I jumped to M 58. It sparkled like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought B 481. It was a dead ringer for two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I had a chance to see IC 1540. It was even more difficult than the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests B 400. It reminded me of dancing elephants. After that, I had a chance to see IC 1391. It looked a bit like lumpy darkness. Next, I observed IC 1796. It looked like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located M 99 in Virgo. It reminded me of the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried Abell 39 in Canis Major. It would be easy to confuse with cotton on velvet. Then, I located Abell 31. It compared favorably with lumpy darkness. After that, I checked off IC 3899. It appeared to be that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I hunted Abell 26. It was better than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I tried for M 108. It looked exactly like fleecy wool. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried B 399. It seemed almost cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I found by accident IC 2456 in Virgo. It was not quite as bright as a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found M 107. It reminded me of a glimmer of the Big Bang.
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 reading Beowulf in Old English.