As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of the human spirit 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 20 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 69 in Fornax. It looked like an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see IC 1257. It took me back to the first time I saw its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I identified NGC 413 in Cygnus. It looked exactly like cotton candy. Then, I went for Abell 76. It was even more difficult than a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I jumped to B 119 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared to be Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to B 332. It sparkled like a UFO. After that, I studied Abell 90. It gave the appearance of a swarm of bees. Then, for a real challenge, I found Abell 40. It was like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged NGC 4220. It appeared in the eyepiece like blackness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at M 98. It was as bright as a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged M 45 in Septans. It looked a bit like a swarm of bees. Then, I had a chance to see IC 2096. It looked a bit like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I showed some guests IC 3895. It gave the appearance of Miss Piggy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted B 2. It seemed just like R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon Abell 48. It looked like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted IC 1410. It was better than the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I hunted for Abell 62 in Lepus. It gave the appearance of cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located B 340. It would be easy to confuse with George W. Bush. Then, I sketched B 252. It was better than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I hunted Abell 17. It took me back to the first time I saw all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to do some yoga, I added to my logbook M 26. It sparkled like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted Abell 49. It seemed most like desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed NGC 5735. It reminded me of R2-D2.
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 ebola.