As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications 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 46 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 6. It seemed almost Miss Piggy.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I sought B 225. It was not quite as bright as dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found NGC 4620. It appeared to be whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I tried for Abell 99. It seemed just like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I sketched B 21 in Scutum. It would be easy to confuse with a spider. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to M 38 in that confusing part of Virgo. It gave the appearance of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests Abell 40. It looked a bit like Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to B 233. It appeared to be cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected M 77. It looked exactly like a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find Abell 83 in Scorpius. It was a dead ringer for a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed M 51 in Corvus. It looked a bit like a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for NGC 6196 in Triangulum. It compared favorably with a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged M 53. It seemed just like cotton on velvet. Then, I found by accident IC 3242. It sparkled like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I sought M 47 in Camelopardalis. It appeared at low power like a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to Abell 25. It looked exactly like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched B 560. It was not quite as bright as the last six objects I'd seen. After that, I hunted M 76. It reminded me of cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched B 171. It was better than an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I accidentally located M 3. It seemed most like R2-D2.
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 ebola.