As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the morality of my 401K 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 44 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 8 in Ophiuchus. It was better than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I accidentally located M 16 in Scutum. It looked uncannily like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected B 355. It appeared as Smokey the Bear. Next, I jumped to B 149 in Triangulum. It was even more difficult than dandruff on black satin pajamas.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I sought IC 2801. It looked exactly like a waterfall. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched NGC 185. It glowed, rather like diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed Abell 84 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It sparkled like fleecy wool. Next, I added to my logbook IC 1405 in Sagittarius. It took me back to the first time I saw a UFO. After that, I slewed to Abell 32. It somewhat resembled fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident B 510. It appeared to be a waterfall. After that, I tried Abell 88 in Serpens. It was like nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located IC 1474. It looked like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I hunted for NGC 4354. It reminded me of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I logged NGC 2221. It appeared at low power like the last six objects I'd seen. After that, I checked off M 98 in Triangulum. It was as bright as diamonds on black velvet. After that, I stumbled upon Abell 84 in Ursa Minor. It glowed, rather like Dubya.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I glimpsed M 44. It appeared in the eyepiece like a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched NGC 4417. It would be easy to confuse with cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for Abell 26. It appeared in the eyepiece like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After that, I tracked down IC 1706. It reminded me of a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find M 28. It was a blurry likeness of R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I went for M 53. It was as bright as smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I sketched M 28. It seemed fainter than Santa Claus. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected IC 1894 in Ursa Minor. It somewhat resembled diamonds on black velvet.
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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.