As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of economic theory as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 53 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 104. It appeared to be dancing elephants.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I star-hopped to Abell 58. It was easy, just like ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out Abell 7. It looked like a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I hunted for NGC 3737. It looked like the eye of God.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I logged M 4. It appeared to be all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I went for B 419 in Ophiuchus. It was not quite as bright as its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at IC 2472. It looked a bit like whipped cream. After that, I tracked down M 61. It was like the invisible man. Then, I stumbled upon B 24 in that confusing part of Virgo. It reminded me of a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted B 548. It seemed most like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I logged B 27 in Ophiuchus. It reminded me of spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I logged Abell 63. It appeared as the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I sought M 81 in Lyra. It reminded me of Smokey the Bear. Then, I had a chance to see NGC 1545. It was not quite as bright as diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to chat, I went for Abell 34. It was even more difficult than the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I checked out Abell 82. It was not quite as bright as all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, for a real challenge, I tried M 16. It appeared in the eyepiece like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found B 628. It seemed almost an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
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 night out under the stars with people you hate.