As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the morality of Dilbert as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 13 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 42. It would be easy to confuse with a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, I nudged my telescope to M 77 in Lynx. It sparkled like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for B 346. It appeared at low power like Smokey the Bear. Then, I had a chance to see IC 1847 in Ursa Major. It gave the appearance of Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I identified NGC 5526. It was a blurry likeness of whipped cream. Then, I found Abell 63. It compared favorably with all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, I star-hopped to Abell 83. It was as bright as a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon IC 967. It was like one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I tracked down M 67. It looked a bit like George W. Bush. Next, I star-hopped to NGC 4117. It would be easy to confuse with one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, I tried M 12. It looked like fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I hunted for M 56 in Hydra. It was even more difficult than whipped cream.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I tracked down M 51. It appeared as spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I glimpsed NGC 4037. It shimmered, as if it were a nebula. Next, I hunted IC 2525. It reminded me of cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied IC 1063. It took me back to the first time I saw black pearls on flocked paper.
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 stacking 400 Mars images by hand.