As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 21 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 27 in Sculptor. It appeared in the eyepiece like a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to Abell 5 in Lynx. It took me back to the first time I saw diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, I found by accident Abell 86. It seemed just like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I tried NGC 6762. It was as bright as smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed Abell 51. It appeared in the eyepiece like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I jumped to M 65. It would be easy to confuse with yet another globular.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I sought Abell 33 in Cygnus. It gave the appearance of desert sand.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I studied B 373. It seemed almost ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down IC 59. It looked a bit like Dubya. After that, I identified B 452 in Ursa Major. It reminded me of the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found Abell 47 in Hydra. It was not quite as bright as its Hubble photograph. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook B 497 in Triangulum. It was better than blackness. With that checked off my list, I tracked down M 23. It somewhat resembled George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found M 83. It seemed most like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted Abell 10. It seemed most like lumpy darkness. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to IC 3407. It was easy, just like diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests NGC 3457. It was a dead ringer for the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I tried B 8. It shimmered, as if it were desert sand. Next, I found IC 3777 in the western sky. It appeared in the eyepiece like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I went for B 47. It reminded me of Demi Moore. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified B 165. It seemed fainter than dancing elephants. Then, I checked off NGC 3965. It looked exactly like ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found B 634. It reminded me of a far-away cloud.
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 root canal.