As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the inner workings of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 42 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 45. It seemed just like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down NGC 5661 in Triangulum. It seemed almost a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook NGC 5111. It was even more difficult than cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed IC 1787. It compared favorably with the invisible man. Next, I showed some guests B 247 in Sculptor. It appeared to be Smokey the Bear. After that, I located M 38 in Perseus. It reminded me of a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find M 3. It glowed, rather like dandruff on black satin pajamas. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found M 106. It sparkled like the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off IC 790 in Canis Major. It sparkled like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, I tracked down Abell 70 in Ursa Minor. It appeared at low power like Smokey the Bear. Then, I jumped to Abell 54 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It gave the appearance of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident M 100. It was like George W. Bush. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to B 594 in Antlia. It glowed, rather like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon NGC 1601. It looked uncannily like a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests IC 919 in Camelopardalis. It looked exactly like cotton on velvet. Then, I added to my logbook NGC 2964. It appeared at low power like a whale spouting. Next, I identified IC 883. It somewhat resembled a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I located B 533. It was easy, just like Demi Moore. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down Abell 59. It was a blurry likeness of Dubya. Next, I stumbled upon IC 270. It was not quite as bright as the last six objects I'd seen.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.