As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the deep impact of the human spirit 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 1 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 97. It looked like nothing I'd ever seen before.
After a short break to do some yoga, I observed IC 1705. It appeared in the eyepiece like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, I located NGC 6171. It seemed just like cotton candy.
After a short break to have a smoke, I helped a beginner find M 24. It looked exactly like whipped cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located M 74 in Sagittarius. It was easy, just like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted NGC 3909 in that confusing part of Virgo. It took me back to the first time I saw smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, I jumped to IC 1367. It appeared to be dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon IC 593 in Scutum. It shimmered, as if it were a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I tracked down Abell 11. It was a blurry likeness of nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I located Abell 71. It sparkled like cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out IC 92. It looked like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I found by accident B 615. It seemed fainter than ripples of water. Next, I logged M 73. It was as bright as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I hunted M 72. It was easy, just like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I hunted for M 102. It appeared at low power like a spider. With that checked off my list, I checked out B 324 in Canis Major. It looked a bit like Gollum. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see NGC 1823. It somewhat resembled spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I checked off M 28. It shimmered, as if it were nothing I'd ever seen before.
After a short break to have a smoke, I tracked down NGC 5872. It took me back to the first time I saw one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests IC 3437. It was as bright as a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I found Abell 64 in that confusing part of Virgo. It would be easy to confuse with dancing elephants. Then, I slewed to NGC 6043 in Lyra. It was not quite as bright as its Hubble photograph. After that, I studied M 107 in Sagittarius. It was as bright as 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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.