As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Yahoo P/E ratios 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 4 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 37 in Cygnus. It seemed almost Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected Abell 28. It was better than the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off NGC 4256. It sparkled like a swarm of bees. Then, for a real challenge, I located NGC 338 in that confusing part of Virgo. It would be easy to confuse with cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see IC 3278 in Hydra. It shimmered, as if it were an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched B 55. It compared favorably with Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I helped a beginner find Abell 34. It seemed fainter than cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at Abell 53 in Gemini. It somewhat resembled Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I went for IC 3870 in Ursa Major. It looked like the pillars of creation. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down M 44. It looked like cotton candy. After that, I star-hopped to NGC 3623. It seemed most like ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon IC 3709. It looked uncannily like the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected B 111 in Sculptor. It looked uncannily like Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see Abell 89 in Septans. It seemed just like an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to do some yoga, I went for NGC 2504 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It glowed, rather like an inflamed monkey butt.
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.