As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of Doonsbury as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 50 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 81. It was a blurry likeness of a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to Abell 41. It seemed fainter than Dubya.
After a short break to check my email, I accidentally located Abell 74. It appeared at low power like diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out M 101. It appeared at low power like diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, I looked for and suspected NGC 2902. It was as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I accidentally located M 73 in Canis Major. It shimmered, as if it were a little triangle. After that, I looked at IC 3326 in Canis Major. It was like Dubya. Next, I accidentally located B 586. It seemed fainter than a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to NGC 4685. It looked uncannily like a swarm of bees.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.