As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the deep impact of AP Refractors as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 46 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 108 in Antlia. It looked like Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to B 358 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It glowed, rather like dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I logged Abell 53. It seemed almost cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted IC 3351. It seemed almost cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found NGC 5360. It somewhat resembled the eye of God. Then, I helped a beginner find IC 1433. It appeared as nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see M 104. It seemed fainter than Miss Piggy.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I sketched Abell 26. It looked a bit like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I found NGC 2230. It looked a bit like the invisible man. Next, I star-hopped to M 2. It glowed, rather like a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I checked off M 15. It somewhat resembled a cantilever bra. After that, I observed NGC 742. It glowed, rather like George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located NGC 1640 in Canis Major. It seemed almost one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, I went for NGC 3359 in Hydra. It reminded me of diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied B 238. It reminded me of cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I tracked down B 289 in Sagittarius. It was a blurry likeness of a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off IC 3647 in Cygnus. It seemed fainter than Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. With that checked off my list, I observed M 20. It was not quite as bright as cotton candy. Next, I glimpsed Abell 89. It was as bright as whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted M 98 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It would be easy to confuse with Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to IC 2806. It looked exactly like its Hubble photograph.
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 ebola.