As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the popularity of television as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 31 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 62. It was a blurry likeness of the last six objects I'd seen.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I tracked down NGC 4632. It appeared as an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find IC 1900 in Serpens. It appeared to be Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down B 185. It was like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I logged NGC 970. It was easy, just like a spider. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see Abell 7. It gave the appearance of a nebula. Then, I glimpsed NGC 3598. It reminded me of its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I sought B 585 in Ursa Minor. It appeared in the eyepiece like a spider. Then, I identified IC 1629 in Sagittarius. It appeared at low power like desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for M 69. It looked exactly like cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for Abell 69 in Ophiuchus. It would be easy to confuse with a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found IC 170 in Perseus. It would be easy to confuse with cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, I showed some guests NGC 330 in Perseus. It took me back to the first time I saw the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests B 365. It looked exactly like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see IC 2275. It reminded me of Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I located IC 3204 in Serpens. It appeared to be a little triangle. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged Abell 74. It reminded me of cotton candy.
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 hot poker rammed up your nose.