As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of the energy crisis 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 4 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 38 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It took me back to the first time I saw cotton candy.
After a short break to chat, I observed IC 1494. It shimmered, as if it were George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to Abell 9. It seemed just like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to Abell 13 in Scutum. It was a blurry likeness of Smokey the Bear. Then, I tried M 14. It would be easy to confuse with an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at B 484. It appeared to be lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located IC 1159. It seemed most like a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I hunted IC 1284. It took me back to the first time I saw one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for B 539. It seemed just like Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook Abell 37. It was a blurry likeness of spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon IC 3104 in Cygnus. It looked like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I studied M 25 in Orion. It took me back to the first time I saw a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I sketched M 78. It was a dead ringer for Demi Moore. Then, I jumped to Abell 17. It gave the appearance of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I sketched B 527. It sparkled like R2-D2. Next, I added to my logbook M 27. It reminded me of George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 2239 in Corvus. It seemed almost a little triangle.
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 stacking 400 Mars images by hand.