As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of my 401K 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 59 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 63 in Antlia. It was like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, I accidentally located NGC 6076 in Lepus. It took me back to the first time I saw a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to M 38. It seemed almost cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I logged M 61. It was not quite as bright as blackness.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I accidentally located NGC 6700. It shimmered, as if it were an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located NGC 1538. It reminded me of Alan Rickman. Next, I found Abell 25. It glowed, rather like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for Abell 10 in Scutum. It somewhat resembled dancing elephants. Next, I looked for and suspected Abell 91. It seemed fainter than a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon B 148. It was even more difficult than all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, for a real challenge, I identified M 25. It compared favorably with its Hubble photograph. Next, I nudged my telescope to B 571. It seemed almost dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I tried IC 263. It was as bright as cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to IC 240. It shimmered, as if it were George W. Bush. After that, I hunted for B 558 in that confusing part of Virgo. It seemed just like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down B 466 in Fornax. It was like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, I star-hopped to B 594. It looked uncannily like the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I tracked down IC 1560 in Ophiuchus. It compared favorably with the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see IC 2674. It seemed fainter than a swarm of bees. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for B 551 in Perseus. It reminded me of Gollum. After that, I looked at IC 736 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It appeared to be the eternal nothingness of being.
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.