As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of the internet 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 5 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 54 in Canes Venatici. It was a dead ringer for a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I hunted for M 19. It looked exactly like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, for a real challenge, I identified NGC 5908 in Antlia. It compared favorably with ripples of water. After that, I nudged my telescope to IC 1791. It reminded me of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I tracked down B 1. It was even more difficult than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see IC 2060. It seemed fainter than cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I hunted for IC 2872 in Perseus. It looked uncannily like Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find B 261. It was a blurry likeness of a glimmer of the Big Bang.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I jumped to B 27 in Lepus. It was as bright as a little triangle. After that, I slewed to NGC 3084 in Perseus. It reminded me of the clouds I'd seen earlier.
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.