As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the morality of AP Refractors as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 52 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 63. It appeared as lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected Abell 83. It was even more difficult than lumpy darkness.
After a short break to do some yoga, I hunted IC 3578. It seemed almost Gollum. Next, I sought IC 3590 in Hydra. It was as bright as one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, I logged NGC 4699. It shimmered, as if it were cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I located NGC 5428. It appeared as a UFO. Next, I went for IC 3275 in Orion. It was even more difficult than spent coals, faintly glowing. With that checked off my list, I sketched B 14. It was a dead ringer for Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for NGC 1588. It was like Santa Claus. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon NGC 5849. It shimmered, as if it were a far-away cloud. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find NGC 2693. It glowed, rather like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I sketched Abell 61. It looked exactly like ripples of water.
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 root canal.