As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the inner workings of my life's work 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 51 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 94. It was easy, just like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I star-hopped to B 151 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It seemed fainter than dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I sought NGC 6267. It seemed fainter than whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located Abell 78 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was better than Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for Abell 1 in Pisces Austrinus. It was easy, just like spent coals, faintly glowing.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I nudged my telescope to IC 1712. It shimmered, as if it were diamonds on black velvet. With that checked off my list, I jumped to M 12. It was like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I hunted for Abell 35 in Sculptor. It would be easy to confuse with dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for B 288. It looked uncannily like Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I tracked down NGC 1842. It seemed most like spent coals, faintly glowing. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 48. It glowed, rather like blackness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident IC 1263. It would be easy to confuse with its Hubble photograph. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for M 62 in Serpens. It took me back to the first time I saw a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I hunted NGC 6359 in Orion. It looked exactly like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I jumped to IC 2170. It appeared as cotton on velvet. Then, I glimpsed B 285. It glowed, rather like Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected IC 3064 in Sagittarius. It took me back to the first time I saw cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I studied IC 2975 in Fornax. It compared favorably with a smoke ring. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 47 in Lynx. It seemed just like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, I had a chance to see IC 1759. It seemed most like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for Abell 42. It reminded me of the eye of God.
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 reading Beowulf in Old English.