As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of my life's work as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 9 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 107. It appeared as cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook NGC 4270. It somewhat resembled the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I tracked down IC 1026. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. After that, I looked at Abell 34 in Lyra. It reminded me of dandruff on black satin pajamas. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to B 476. It took me back to the first time I saw dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I hunted Abell 50. It was a dead ringer for an inflamed monkey butt. After that, I tried M 45. It reminded me of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located M 43. It seemed most like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, I accidentally located M 59 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It would be easy to confuse with all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests NGC 6087. It seemed just like the pillars of creation. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed Abell 31 in Lynx. It looked a bit like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I jumped to M 3. It reminded me of dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted NGC 3629. It was better than the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I checked off M 55. It appeared at low power like a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook Abell 32. It appeared to be all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I helped a beginner find B 528. It compared favorably with all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, I logged NGC 4918 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It looked like whipped cream.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I went for B 552 in Orion. It somewhat resembled that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I nudged my telescope to NGC 3570. It was better than Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified B 278 in Cygnus. It appeared to be a cantilever bra. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to NGC 2303. It appeared as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.