As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the higher implications of the energy crisis as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 8 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 37. It gave the appearance of cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I sketched NGC 4510. It was a dead ringer for one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook M 20. It looked uncannily like a whale spouting. With that checked off my list, I hunted for B 222. It looked like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I looked for and suspected Abell 76. It somewhat resembled whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook IC 1104. It was like a spider. After that, I stumbled upon NGC 5297. It was easy, just like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I tried for B 411 in Draco. It seemed most like blackness. After that, I stumbled upon M 79. It was as bright as desert sand.
After a short break to do some yoga, I helped a beginner find Abell 79 in Draco. It looked like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I sought M 18. It seemed most like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I found by accident Abell 61. It compared favorably with Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I located IC 1969. It was a blurry likeness of the invisible man. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought Abell 25. It seemed just like a waterfall. After that, I star-hopped to Abell 30 in Sagittarius. It was easy, just like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident NGC 2332. It appeared at low power like nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I logged Abell 35. It was a dead ringer for its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for B 283. It appeared in the eyepiece like desert sand. Then, I glimpsed Abell 61. It was better than the face of God.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I stumbled upon Abell 55. It looked uncannily like its Hubble photograph.
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 kick in the pants with a copper toed boot.