As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the higher implications of the internet as I contemplated the night's aurora display. 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 13 in Hydra. It reminded me of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I went for IC 219. It looked uncannily like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, for a real challenge, I checked out IC 2403. It shimmered, as if it were a spitting cobra. Next, I tracked down Abell 67 in Sculptor. It appeared as the face of God. After that, I checked off M 97. It looked a bit like cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down NGC 2779. It somewhat resembled desert sand. Then, I sought B 301. It was even more difficult than cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for M 2. It was easy, just like a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted IC 2829 in Gemini. It was as bright as Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I checked off Abell 32. It seemed fainter than cotton candy.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I stumbled upon Abell 2. It appeared in the eyepiece like Demi Moore.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I stumbled upon M 22. It was even more difficult than the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I stumbled upon Abell 29. It compared favorably with George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at B 161 in Corvus. It was a blurry likeness of the invisible man. Next, I stumbled upon IC 3738. It was better than Miss Piggy. Next, I sketched B 542. It appeared at low power like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to B 444. It seemed most like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for B 401 in the western sky. It sparkled like Alan Rickman. After that, I found Abell 11 in Fornax. It appeared to be a little triangle. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to NGC 2964. It was a dead ringer for a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I tried for M 51. It appeared as the invisible man.
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 kick in the pants with a copper toed boot.