As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the current implications of the universe 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 29 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 2. It appeared in the eyepiece like a waterfall. Then, I studied NGC 5357. It looked exactly like Alan Rickman.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I had a chance to see NGC 1308 in Antlia. It looked exactly like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 5712. It took me back to the first time I saw nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I glimpsed Abell 11. It reminded me of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I glimpsed M 101 in Orion. It looked exactly like George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook B 639 in Fornax. It was as bright as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I jumped to IC 133 in Pisces Austrinus. It sparkled like spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I had a chance to see NGC 1261. It compared favorably with a spider. Then, I went for B 97. It was not quite as bright as yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook NGC 562. It seemed fainter than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I went for NGC 4457 in Sculptor. It reminded me of Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests M 53 in Sagittarius. It was even more difficult than a whale spouting.
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 spending the evening reading blogs.