As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the current implications of tight underwear as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 41 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 22 in Lynx. It seemed just like whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located Abell 48. It somewhat resembled a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to B 84. It appeared to be cotton candy. After that, I tried M 98. It glowed, rather like desert sand.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I showed some guests IC 2490. It sparkled like blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted B 164 in Lyra. It was even more difficult than Demi Moore. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident M 94 in Lepus. It sparkled like a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed IC 1881. It was a dead ringer for a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 3255. It compared favorably with Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I hunted for B 467 in Lepus. It looked uncannily like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I helped a beginner find M 9 in Corvus. It was as bright as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I hunted for M 58 in Fornax. It was a dead ringer for cotton on velvet.
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 spending a day at the mall with my teenage daughter.