As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the current state of AP Refractors as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 56 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 4. It reminded me of the face of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found Abell 71 in Lepus. It compared favorably with a UFO. After that, I located IC 1656. It glowed, rather like the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I tried for B 403. It sparkled like a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located NGC 3258 in the western sky. It gave the appearance of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook B 432. It reminded me of the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I tried M 7. It glowed, rather like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to NGC 3542. It looked a bit like an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 1184. It seemed fainter than a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I tried for IC 436. It appeared at low power like a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I went for B 99. It seemed almost dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I checked out Abell 58 in Pisces Austrinus. It was easy, just like a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to Abell 86. It was a dead ringer for a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I found Abell 72 in Corvus. It seemed almost the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to NGC 5279 in Lyra. It glowed, rather like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to NGC 5081. It looked a bit like dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I sought NGC 6891. It looked like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I sketched NGC 5979 in Fornax. It looked like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I tried for NGC 6144 in Draco. It compared favorably with a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I studied NGC 1775 in that confusing part of Virgo. It looked uncannily like the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 57. It gave the appearance of Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find IC 3334. It looked exactly like Demi Moore. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied IC 2500. It took me back to the first time I saw that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I located Abell 44 in Ursa Minor. It looked exactly like yet another globular.
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 sitting in a dentist's waiting room.