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 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 36 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 93. It appeared in the eyepiece like a UFO. Then, I nudged my telescope to NGC 4873 in Draco. It gave the appearance of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find Abell 75. It glowed, rather like a nebula. With that checked off my list, I sketched Abell 89 in Serpens. It looked uncannily like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I went for M 105 in Ophiuchus. It was even more difficult than black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I studied Abell 78. It was a blurry likeness of a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon NGC 5346 in Septans. It was better than one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I glimpsed NGC 6054 in Orion. It seemed almost all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to do some yoga, I had a chance to see M 102 in Cygnus. It was like Gollum. After that, I found B 327. It appeared as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I observed Abell 41. It gave the appearance of dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I looked at NGC 4184 in Corvus. It reminded me of a nebula. Then, I found by accident Abell 17 in Virgo. It compared favorably with diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I identified NGC 2362 in Triangulum. It somewhat resembled fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I studied B 395. It was easy, just like cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied NGC 1587. It would be easy to confuse with a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, I observed Abell 8 in Ursa Major. It appeared as ripples of water.
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 State of the Union address.