As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy 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 17 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 55. It seemed almost two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I jumped to NGC 812 in Perseus. It appeared to be a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook B 76. It looked like Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to IC 2154. It reminded me of its Hubble photograph. After that, I showed some guests IC 1619. It was a blurry likeness of dancing elephants. Then, I hunted for M 48. It appeared as whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, for a real challenge, I logged M 70. It was like a swarm of bees. Then, I looked for and suspected IC 981. It was like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I located IC 2283. It reminded me of Santa Claus.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I found M 101. It somewhat resembled a little triangle. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged M 43 in Canes Venatici. It looked uncannily like a whale spouting. With that checked off my list, I hunted B 534. It was a dead ringer for two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected IC 792 in that confusing part of Virgo. It looked uncannily like the face of God. Next, I accidentally located M 34. It gave the appearance of a spider. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at IC 998 in Ursa Minor. It looked a bit like lumpy darkness. Then, I stumbled upon IC 705. It glowed, rather like black pearls on flocked paper. After that, I logged NGC 2472. It shimmered, as if it were whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I logged M 86. It appeared to be nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I identified Abell 96. It seemed just like Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to M 3. It shimmered, as if it were a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected Abell 51. It was easy, just like R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I tried for NGC 3329. It was not quite as bright as dandruff on black satin pajamas. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out NGC 5948 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared at low power like whipped cream.
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 root canal.