As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the deep impact of my 401K as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 43 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 34. It glowed, rather like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I jumped to IC 3447 in Lyra. It glowed, rather like dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 940. It reminded me of the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I went for M 23 in Ursa Minor. It appeared to be cotton candy. Then, I glimpsed Abell 25. It was even more difficult than diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I showed some guests B 49. It compared favorably with cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off B 369 in Antlia. It was a blurry likeness of a little triangle.
After a short break to do some yoga, I identified M 54. It seemed just like the invisible man.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I looked at Abell 83 in Hydra. It somewhat resembled cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I found IC 467 in Lyra. It was better than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I helped a beginner find M 43. It was a blurry likeness of George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied M 85 in Antlia. It looked uncannily like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to IC 744. It was better than an inflamed monkey butt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for B 16. It was even more difficult than Gollum.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I looked at NGC 971. It shimmered, as if it were a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed Abell 68. It shimmered, as if it were the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I glimpsed B 5 in Serpens. It gave the appearance of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, I hunted Abell 94. It looked uncannily like blackness. After that, I star-hopped to B 109 in Canis Major. It was like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.