As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Norse mythology 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 23 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 50 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It would be easy to confuse with two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched Abell 12 in Septans. It appeared as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected IC 1839 in Virgo. It reminded me of the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected Abell 92 in Perseus. It was even more difficult than desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at NGC 156. It compared favorably with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed B 87. It was a blurry likeness of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I slewed to NGC 644 in Serpens. It would be easy to confuse with cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, I observed B 482 in Canis Major. It shimmered, as if it were smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I stumbled upon M 52. It looked like cotton candy. After that, I glimpsed IC 136 in Scorpius. It reminded me of a cantilever bra. After that, I helped a beginner find Abell 31 in Gemini. It looked like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to Abell 15. It seemed almost a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, I checked off NGC 6145. It looked a bit like a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon M 42 in Lynx. It appeared at low power like cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed B 579. It was a blurry likeness of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected B 387. It appeared at low power like Smokey the Bear. After that, I stumbled upon M 13. It was not quite as bright as a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I studied NGC 6277. It looked exactly like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed M 44. It was easy, just like diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for IC 890. It seemed just like a cantilever bra. Then, I slewed to NGC 2228. It was not quite as bright as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
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.