As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the current state of this Pale Blue Dot we call home 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 13 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 63 in Antlia. It took me back to the first time I saw Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I slewed to IC 3930. It looked a bit like the pillars of creation. Then, I jumped to B 47. It looked a bit like R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out M 34 in Canes Venatici. It seemed fainter than yet another globular. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for IC 932. It was not quite as bright as Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I jumped to NGC 2660. It seemed just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to NGC 1169. It was even more difficult than dancing elephants. Then, I stumbled upon M 18. It was a blurry likeness of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I had a chance to see B 207. It looked exactly like a little triangle. After that, I studied Abell 52 in the western sky. It glowed, rather like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, for a real challenge, I studied B 243. It was not quite as bright as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I jumped to M 56 in Scorpius. It would be easy to confuse with a little triangle. Then, I found NGC 6583 in Scutum. It sparkled like cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests Abell 52 in Fornax. It glowed, rather like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, I looked for and suspected NGC 3864. It was not quite as bright as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected IC 1061. It looked uncannily like Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down M 78. It seemed just like a nebula.
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.