As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the deep impact 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 25 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 57. It seemed just like nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I nudged my telescope to IC 1141 in Antlia. It seemed most like a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to Abell 1. It reminded me of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I went for B 13 in Pisces Austrinus. It reminded me of diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon B 216 in Camelopardalis. It was as bright as Dubya. Next, I tried for IC 989 in Canis Major. It was a blurry likeness of a spider. After that, I jumped to B 462. It somewhat resembled that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I checked out NGC 334. It would be easy to confuse with dancing elephants. Then, I found by accident Abell 32. It appeared as Gollum.
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 hot poker rammed up your nose.