As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the popularity of AP Refractors 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 20 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 60. It appeared at low power like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down NGC 211 in that confusing part of Virgo. It looked exactly like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I located M 44 in Perseus. It seemed almost a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified M 83. It was not quite as bright as the pillars of creation. After that, I went for M 1. It was better than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out B 636. It was even more difficult than yet another globular.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I stumbled upon B 638. It seemed fainter than cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for IC 438 in Triangulum. It seemed just like diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident IC 2880. It appeared in the eyepiece like whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed M 41 in that confusing part of Virgo. It somewhat resembled the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified B 96. It looked exactly like blackness. With that checked off my list, I tried M 68. It shimmered, as if it were diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I jumped to Abell 98. It was like the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to IC 2216 in Camelopardalis. It sparkled like dandruff on black satin pajamas.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I helped a beginner find M 23 in Lyra. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to M 61. It looked like whipped cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook Abell 42 in Scorpius. It was easy, just like Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to NGC 1551. It sparkled like George W. Bush.
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 stacking 400 Mars images by hand.