As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the popularity of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 6 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 26. It looked exactly like whipped cream. After that, I checked out M 42. It looked a bit like a smoke ring. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon IC 468 in Serpens. It was better than the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I had a chance to see IC 1276. It was as bright as a far-away cloud.
After a short break to do some yoga, I star-hopped to Abell 85 in Lyra. It was as bright as a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for Abell 90. It appeared in the eyepiece like spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I nudged my telescope to IC 3186. It reminded me of desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed B 84 in Cygnus. It took me back to the first time I saw whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I went for B 76. It sparkled like a spider. After that, I checked out IC 141. It was even more difficult than diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched NGC 3854. It was better than a little triangle. Next, I sought NGC 837 in Serpens. It shimmered, as if it were two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to M 15. It reminded me of the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I checked off B 148. It compared favorably with one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for Abell 40. It seemed fainter than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I jumped to M 45. It was even more difficult than spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I glimpsed M 51 in Sculptor. It was a blurry likeness of ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find M 40. It was better than whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected NGC 4478. It was even more difficult than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
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 a poke in the eye with a frozen dishrag.