As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the popularity of the human spirit as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 38 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 3. It looked a bit like whipped cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought M 43. It appeared as a spider. With that checked off my list, I tried for M 64 in Ursa Major. It seemed just like ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged B 454. It was better than 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 B 292. It was not quite as bright as one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out Abell 39 in Triangulum. It seemed most like a swarm of bees. Next, I tracked down B 176. It was a dead ringer for whipped cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for IC 317. It was a blurry likeness of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted M 66. It appeared as a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 5967. It seemed almost an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to check my email, I sought B 448. It gave the appearance of a nebula.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I checked out Abell 57. It compared favorably with Demi Moore. Then, I sought B 72 in Cygnus. It compared favorably with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found M 4. It glowed, rather like a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I showed some guests IC 1262. It would be easy to confuse with Demi Moore. Next, I glimpsed IC 1453. It looked like nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I observed IC 2540. It looked uncannily like ripples of water.
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 phone sex.