As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the insignificance of world hunger as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 47 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 85. It glowed, rather like a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I observed IC 1766 in Ursa Minor. It seemed most like an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I hunted NGC 1873 in Antlia. It seemed almost black pearls on flocked paper.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I added to my logbook NGC 3940 in Scutum. It shimmered, as if it were Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook NGC 4340. It was easy, just like a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I found by accident M 59. It appeared to be a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon NGC 6948. It shimmered, as if it were cotton candy. Then, I star-hopped to M 22. It looked exactly like a far-away cloud. Next, I tracked down NGC 5202. It would be easy to confuse with nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I added to my logbook Abell 84. It was not quite as bright as a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find M 81. It appeared as an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I located NGC 6382. It reminded me of dancing elephants. After that, I went for B 454 in Fornax. It somewhat resembled nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I tried for NGC 6903. It looked like yet another globular. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 45. It was like a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook M 25 in Ursa Minor. It seemed just like dancing elephants. With that checked off my list, I observed M 69. It looked exactly like blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I identified NGC 1497. It somewhat resembled that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I located NGC 5063 in Perseus. It was a blurry likeness of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought IC 3487 in Antlia. It looked exactly like a swarm of bees. Next, I found Abell 98 in Pisces Austrinus. It seemed just like Gollum. Next, I star-hopped to Abell 66. It reminded me of the invisible man.
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 24-hour 007 marathon.