As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the current state of the internet as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 48 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 16. It looked a bit like Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected B 360. It was even more difficult than cotton on velvet. After that, I tried B 222. It was not quite as bright as fleecy wool. Then, I hunted Abell 77 in Septans. It was like a UFO. Next, I accidentally located Abell 89 in Antlia. It looked uncannily like a smoke ring. Next, I tried for NGC 1510. It seemed most like the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to NGC 1072. It reminded me of a cantilever bra. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find IC 2087. It seemed almost black pearls on flocked paper.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I hunted Abell 83. It appeared in the eyepiece like its Hubble photograph.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I observed M 56 in Cygnus. It reminded me of a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I logged IC 1160. It somewhat resembled a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried NGC 867. It was even more difficult than whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I nudged my telescope to Abell 33 in Corvus. It reminded me of dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see M 94 in Triangulum. It seemed almost that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I observed B 309. It was a dead ringer for blackness. Then, I tried for M 69. It was a blurry likeness of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I hunted for M 99 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was like the face of God. After that, I checked off B 498. It was a blurry likeness of a whale spouting.
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 a root canal.