As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the current state of Dilbert 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 8 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 102. It reminded me of cotton on velvet. Then, I glimpsed Abell 16. It was like cotton on velvet.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I hunted for M 95. It looked like desert sand. After that, I jumped to IC 250 in Fornax. It was like Alan Rickman. After that, I stumbled upon B 367 in Perseus. It was better than the last six objects I'd seen. After that, I glimpsed Abell 52 in that confusing part of Virgo. It seemed almost smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook M 85. It compared favorably with Gollum. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected Abell 20. It reminded me of cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I accidentally located B 597 in Canis Major. It looked like spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I went for B 166. It sparkled like a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located Abell 5. It appeared at low power like diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to M 30. It looked a bit like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I sought B 132 in Triangulum. It shimmered, as if it were an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I checked off NGC 3414 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared at low power like cotton candy. Then, I checked out IC 611. It reminded me of one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
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 phone sex.