As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the morality of Doonsbury as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 25 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 52. It reminded me of spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I jumped to IC 1687 in Antlia. It compared favorably with the last six objects I'd seen.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I stumbled upon M 24. It appeared at low power like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I went for IC 2445. It looked a bit like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I found M 23. It appeared as a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought B 108 in that confusing part of Virgo. It somewhat resembled a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see M 40 in Gemini. It was a blurry likeness of cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I found NGC 1784 in Sculptor. It was not quite as bright as lumpy darkness. Next, I tried for M 98. It looked a bit like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried M 85. It was not quite as bright as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, I tried for B 139 in Fornax. It was even more difficult than Alan Rickman. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located B 25. It seemed almost a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down Abell 73. It took me back to the first time I saw a swarm of bees. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to M 32. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I went for B 435. It appeared in the eyepiece like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected M 100. It was not quite as bright as 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 sex.