As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the current implications of my 401K as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 33 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 1. It appeared as the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I checked off NGC 2442 in Ursa Major. It was as bright as an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I looked for and suspected B 33. It gave the appearance of fleecy wool. Then, I showed some guests IC 3042. It looked a bit like a spitting cobra. Next, I stumbled upon Abell 7. It was a blurry likeness of Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I stumbled upon Abell 37. It was a blurry likeness of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I identified Abell 33. It looked uncannily like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find Abell 97. It would be easy to confuse with all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I nudged my telescope to B 638 in Virgo. It shimmered, as if it were yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted NGC 249 in Lepus. It was not quite as bright as smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After that, I nudged my telescope to B 236 in Hydra. It was better than fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located NGC 2711. It seemed almost ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged NGC 153. It appeared as the pillars of creation.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I went for Abell 58. It compared favorably with a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I tried for NGC 986 in Scorpius. It appeared as lumpy darkness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for IC 3935 in Pisces Austrinus. It was not quite as bright as dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I hunted B 621 in the western sky. It was a blurry likeness of a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down M 70 in Canis Major. It took me back to the first time I saw whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I checked out M 32 in Scutum. It was better than cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at NGC 3256. It appeared as cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought B 283. It appeared at low power like a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified Abell 96. It shimmered, as if it were black pearls on flocked paper.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I showed some guests B 507 in Hydra. It was even more difficult than nothing I'd ever seen before.
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 fetid Dingo's kidneys.