As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the morality of economic theory 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 40 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 17. It reminded me of a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I star-hopped to NGC 309. It gave the appearance of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I showed some guests Abell 97 in Lynx. It shimmered, as if it were one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I hunted Abell 45. It looked exactly like the face of God. With that checked off my list, I tried for NGC 479. It was as bright as the pillars of creation. After that, I hunted for B 353. It reminded me of the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at NGC 2822 in Orion. It compared favorably with the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I helped a beginner find NGC 5290 in Draco. It appeared in the eyepiece like nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out NGC 4619. It seemed most like spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected NGC 2972 in Ophiuchus. It seemed fainter than the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident B 500. It looked uncannily like Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed M 100. It sparkled like its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched NGC 2064. It was as bright as Demi Moore. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to B 383. It looked uncannily like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at NGC 4145 in Canes Venatici. It reminded me of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for B 316. It was better than Santa Claus. After that, I identified Abell 36 in the western sky. It reminded me of Santa Claus.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I found by accident M 9 in Lynx. It somewhat resembled smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed B 107 in that confusing part of Virgo. It looked exactly like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests B 348 in Corvus. It was not quite as bright as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find NGC 2597. It appeared at low power like the pillars of creation.
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 24-hour 007 marathon.