As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the study of AP Refractors as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 26 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 55 in Scorpius. It looked exactly like Santa Claus. Then, I hunted for IC 1713. It was even more difficult than nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 1630. It compared favorably with the eye of God. Then, I showed some guests M 42. It looked like a spider. After that, I accidentally located IC 1947. It somewhat resembled dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed B 578. It seemed fainter than a cantilever bra. Next, I helped a beginner find IC 3912. It was a blurry likeness of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I looked for and suspected IC 661. It was not quite as bright as Gollum. Next, I stumbled upon B 581. It was as bright as a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for IC 363. It seemed fainter than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted IC 2740 in Canis Major. It appeared as Santa Claus.
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 sex.