As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of this Pale Blue Dot we call home 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 45 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 66. It glowed, rather like a smoke ring. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon NGC 4418 in that confusing part of Virgo. It reminded me of dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed IC 385. It reminded me of a spitting cobra. Next, I identified M 41 in Antlia. It appeared in the eyepiece like Demi Moore. Next, I had a chance to see NGC 767. It was as bright as whispy tendrils of nebulosity. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see NGC 2246. It was a dead ringer for cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to NGC 4689. It sparkled like fleecy wool. Then, I sought Abell 2. It was a blurry likeness of the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I checked off IC 1975. It sparkled like one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to have a smoke, I checked off Abell 37. It was as bright as diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to walk around, I tried IC 3814. It was like diamonds on black velvet. Next, I went for IC 494. It reminded me of R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to B 631. It somewhat resembled a swarm of bees. Next, I showed some guests NGC 4489. It was even more difficult than Demi Moore. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified B 56. It was a blurry likeness of diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, I checked out B 265 in that confusing part of Virgo. It looked uncannily like the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I looked at Abell 3. It was a blurry likeness of a little triangle. Next, I jumped to B 463. It shimmered, as if it were that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I sought Abell 5. It looked exactly like a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see M 73 in Ophiuchus. It reminded me of ripples of water. After that, I accidentally located Abell 25 in Virgo. It was a dead ringer for a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I studied Abell 83. It seemed fainter than the face of God. Next, I slewed to B 342 in Corvus. It would be easy to confuse with the eternal nothingness of being. Then, I checked out M 59. It was a blurry likeness of lumpy darkness.
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 ebola.