As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the deep impact of underwater basket weaving 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 42 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 80. It took me back to the first time I saw that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I identified B 350. It gave the appearance of a spider. After that, I had a chance to see B 178. It appeared as Gollum. With that checked off my list, I looked at NGC 4874. It appeared in the eyepiece like a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon NGC 2044. It seemed fainter than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, for a real challenge, I checked out IC 1629. It looked like diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to IC 459. It would be easy to confuse with the pillars of creation. After that, I accidentally located NGC 6033. It sparkled like the eternal nothingness of being.
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 spending a day at the mall with my teenage daughter.