As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of AP Refractors as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 59 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 33. It was better than the face of God.
After a short break to have a smoke, I showed some guests B 226. It looked a bit like George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to Abell 97 in Virgo. It seemed just like Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to NGC 5112. It seemed most like Santa Claus. After that, I looked at IC 27 in Cygnus. It was a dead ringer for whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 6011 in Hydra. It was a blurry likeness of a whale spouting. Then, I found Abell 36 in Scorpius. It gave the appearance of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for B 288 in Ophiuchus. It reminded me of cotton candy.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I jumped to M 95 in Ursa Major. It took me back to the first time I saw the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I had a chance to see IC 3990. It somewhat resembled Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for IC 1952. It sparkled like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed IC 1066 in Canis Major. It appeared to be whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon NGC 4128 in Ursa Minor. It appeared at low power like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out M 2 in the western sky. It seemed fainter than its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected IC 2060. It appeared at low power like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I checked off Abell 47. It appeared in the eyepiece like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for NGC 641. It reminded me of cream being swirled into hot coffee.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.