As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the deep impact of television as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 10 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 97. It looked like the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to Abell 41. It appeared at low power like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to B 365. It shimmered, as if it were lumpy darkness. After that, I nudged my telescope to B 434. It appeared at low power like Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident M 96 in Corvus. It was even more difficult than the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted B 394. It was a dead ringer for Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 23. It would be easy to confuse with Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located NGC 33. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for IC 565. It appeared at low power like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, I looked for and suspected M 100. It seemed almost ripples of water.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I jumped to Abell 12 in Lynx. It was a blurry likeness of dancing elephants. Next, I found by accident B 13. It reminded me of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed Abell 95. It was better than a UFO. With that checked off my list, I sketched Abell 37. It was easy, just like a whale spouting. Next, I had a chance to see B 278. It shimmered, as if it were a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon B 302. It looked uncannily like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down IC 153. It looked like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I went for M 10. It was a blurry likeness of the face of God.
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 stacking 400 Mars images by hand.