As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the deep impact of Dilbert as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 40 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 58 in Scorpius. It compared favorably with the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I observed M 99. It was even more difficult than a whale spouting. After that, I tracked down B 139. It was even more difficult than smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I nudged my telescope to Abell 97. It looked exactly like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I tried IC 1157 in Lynx. It looked like a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I tracked down NGC 646. It was easy, just like Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at M 41. It seemed just like a swarm of bees. After that, I observed B 126. It appeared as an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, I glimpsed Abell 83. It seemed most like a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see NGC 2722. It sparkled like a smoke ring. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to NGC 2400 in Lepus. It somewhat resembled an inflamed monkey butt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified M 42. It reminded me of its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for NGC 2797. It looked exactly like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I located IC 232. It appeared to be Demi Moore. Then, I nudged my telescope to Abell 21. It seemed most like cotton candy. After that, I star-hopped to NGC 2004 in Draco. It compared favorably with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I observed Abell 6. It was even more difficult than a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to M 84. It appeared in the eyepiece like a UFO. After that, I star-hopped to IC 298 in Pisces Austrinus. It seemed fainter than cotton candy.
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.