As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the deep impact of television as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 40 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 86 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was not quite as bright as Demi Moore. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed B 633 in Sagittarius. It looked like cotton candy. Next, I sought Abell 64. It compared favorably with a smoke ring. Next, I had a chance to see Abell 58. It appeared to be R2-D2.
After a short break to chat, I showed some guests M 75. It sparkled like the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests M 87. It glowed, rather like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests M 47. It was a dead ringer for R2-D2. Next, I hunted for NGC 4040. It reminded me of its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for M 62. It seemed most like fleecy wool. After that, I observed B 554. It was a dead ringer for Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests NGC 3835 in Serpens. It appeared as cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched Abell 57. It shimmered, as if it were yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected IC 2561. It was even more difficult than ripples of water. Then, I had a chance to see Abell 51. It appeared as its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to IC 210 in Pisces Austrinus. It glowed, rather like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted NGC 4317. It appeared at low power like its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located IC 2601. It appeared in the eyepiece like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out IC 2923 in Antlia. It shimmered, as if it were cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I had a chance to see M 44 in Camelopardalis. It seemed most like ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident NGC 4944. It was as bright as ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I tried for M 95 in Scutum. It seemed almost a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I showed some guests IC 750. It looked exactly like Alan Rickman.
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 stale peeps.