As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of my life's work as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 10 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 19. It gave the appearance of Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find NGC 1534 in Triangulum. It seemed fainter than a spitting cobra. Next, I looked at IC 133 in Scutum. It appeared to be Demi Moore. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook IC 3532. It was a dead ringer for a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I located NGC 2150 in Gemini. It was better than the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find M 45. It compared favorably with a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to Abell 1. It seemed just like diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off IC 3986. It seemed most like ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests B 526 in Fornax. It gave the appearance of spent coals, faintly glowing.
After a short break to check my email, I had a chance to see Abell 13. It would be easy to confuse with an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down Abell 63 in Gemini. It looked uncannily like R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed M 5. It was easy, just like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I looked at NGC 2678. It was a blurry likeness of R2-D2. Next, I tracked down Abell 62. It was not quite as bright as the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried Abell 97. It was as bright as Alan Rickman. After that, I star-hopped to B 516. It reminded me of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I checked out M 86 in Hydra. It looked uncannily like its Hubble photograph.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I hunted for Abell 68. It reminded me of 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 poke in the eye with a frozen dishrag.