As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the insignificance of chaos theory 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 59 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 46 in Virgo. It appeared in the eyepiece like nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected B 231. It sparkled like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. With that checked off my list, I hunted NGC 168. It appeared at low power like a nebula. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected Abell 62. It appeared at low power like Smokey the Bear. After that, I studied NGC 2614 in Lynx. It was easy, just like a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out Abell 23. It somewhat resembled desert sand. Then, I had a chance to see B 429. It looked uncannily 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 a day out under the hot sun with bitter enemies.