As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of chaos theory as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. 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 43 in Corvus. It took me back to the first time I saw desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located M 1 in Camelopardalis. It sparkled like the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I checked off B 646 in Ursa Major. It seemed just like desert sand. Next, I looked for and suspected NGC 5874 in Ursa Major. It appeared in the eyepiece like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to NGC 4468 in Lepus. It somewhat resembled diamonds on black velvet. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon IC 1601 in Draco. It seemed almost blackness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to B 285. It looked exactly like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I looked for and suspected NGC 2459 in Lyra. It appeared to be spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed M 53. It was better than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I observed B 545 in Antlia. It seemed almost nothing I'd ever seen before.
After a short break to do some yoga, I located Abell 48. It looked like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see M 73. It somewhat resembled Santa Claus. Next, I star-hopped to IC 1225. It sparkled like a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for IC 1221 in Scutum. It was a dead ringer for cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for M 83. It looked exactly like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After that, I accidentally located NGC 2456. It looked exactly like an inflamed monkey butt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to NGC 5780 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It looked uncannily like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed NGC 5596 in Ursa Minor. It was easy, just like diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I sketched B 388 in Camelopardalis. It would be easy to confuse with smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook M 88. It was easy, just like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at IC 2338 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was better than the face of God. Next, I showed some guests IC 2706. It reminded me of the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I sought IC 2704. It was a dead ringer for a spider.
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 being ravaged by savage wild wombats.