As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the current state of Norse mythology as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 40 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 79. It sparkled like a nebula. After that, I had a chance to see NGC 3941 in Cygnus. It was even more difficult than Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I looked at Abell 34. It seemed almost a nebula.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I located IC 2023. It looked exactly like its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I identified IC 2497 in Canis Major. It appeared at low power like a cantilever bra. Then, I tracked down NGC 2779. It compared favorably with the clouds I'd seen earlier.
After a short break to chat, I sought Abell 70 in Cygnus. It looked a bit like Demi Moore. After that, I sketched B 562 in Corvus. It was a blurry likeness of the eye of God. After that, I identified IC 3135. It appeared to be that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off NGC 3566. It gave the appearance of a cantilever bra. Then, I hunted NGC 6164. It looked a bit like cotton candy. Next, I studied NGC 4763 in Lepus. It was better than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I found IC 2455. It appeared in the eyepiece like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located IC 2566. It looked like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After that, I glimpsed Abell 73 in the western sky. It somewhat resembled George W. Bush. Next, I accidentally located M 1. It was a dead ringer for that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down M 9 in the western sky. It shimmered, as if it were a far-away cloud. Then, I found by accident Abell 97. It glowed, rather like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down B 375 in Sculptor. It was easy, just like Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I observed NGC 371 in Ursa Minor. It shimmered, as if it were Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I accidentally located M 11. It appeared to be diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out NGC 962. It appeared in the eyepiece like Gollum. With that checked off my list, I logged M 44 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It would be easy to confuse with 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 stacking 400 Mars images by hand.