As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning 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 57 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 109. It compared favorably with nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched B 136 in Sagittarius. It shimmered, as if it were Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at M 11. It appeared at low power like a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected NGC 6185. It seemed just like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I looked at B 447 in Ursa Major. It was easy, just like diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, I stumbled upon IC 3817. It looked a bit like black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I sought NGC 3216. It somewhat resembled cotton candy.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I helped a beginner find NGC 2716. It was a blurry likeness of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I tracked down Abell 92. It sparkled like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed NGC 5787 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It seemed almost a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied Abell 24. It somewhat resembled a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook B 525. It was a dead ringer for a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to NGC 3929. It looked like whipped cream. Then, I sought B 274 in Canes Venatici. It was like the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to IC 2793. It reminded me of cotton candy. Then, I located M 106. It gave the appearance of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I checked out B 536 in Ursa Major. It reminded me of spent coals, faintly glowing.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I looked for and suspected B 73. It glowed, rather like Demi Moore. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for B 225. It sparkled like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to B 388 in Antlia. It was like R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to M 28. It shimmered, as if it were the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for NGC 5506 in Scutum. It seemed almost the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I glimpsed B 174 in Gemini. It looked uncannily like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
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 State of the Union address.